Shadia Mansour

Shadia Mansour is a British-Palestinian rapper and singer widely known as the first lady of Arabic hip hop, performing in both Arabic and English. Born in London in 1985 to Christian Palestinian parents from Haifa and Nazareth, she grew up singing classical Arab protest songs at community rallies before turning to rap around 2003. Her music is steeped in Middle Eastern politics and Palestinian identity, and she often performs in a traditional embroidered thawb, describing her work as part of a musical intifada against occupation and injustice. She has collaborated with artists including M-1 of dead prez, Lowkey, Narcy, and the Palestinian group DAM, and is known for the single Al Kufiya Arabiya.