NOUR FESTIVAL – London – October – November As the audience files in for an evening of Moroccan hip-hop with Master Mimz, they find themselves in the former studio of the painter Frederic, Lord Leighton. Exhibitions, reviews, news, features and all things art. The walls are still hung with some of Leighton’s most celebrated Orientalist works inspired by his travels in the Levant and beyond. But this October evening the view of the Middle East is presented by a young female rapper. “I rap in English,” says Master Mimz, dressed in black sequins and ostrich feathers. “I want to reach an audience that otherwise might not know what is really happening in Arab countries.”

Exploring the world of Arabic hip-hop is just one part of this year’s Nour Festival of Contemporary Middle Eastern and North African Arts, which started at the beginning of the month and runs until November 30. It is the second time that the beautifully appointed house in Kensington west London, once home to the Victorian artist and explorer, has been taken over by more than 50 painters, installation artists and musicians from around the Middle East and north Africa during the whole period of the festival. The aim of Nour, which means light, is to spread understanding of the culture of the region through a challenging programme of arts-based performances and exhibitions. Although Myriam Bouchentouf, to give Master Mimz her formal name, has only had a short career as a rapper, she has been getting some attention on YouTube for her debut track Back Down Mubarak . “Because of the prevalence of Egyptian soaps and films in Morocco, I could relate to what was happening,” she recalls. “I began with hip-hop karaoke. But when the track went viral, I decided that this is what I want to do.” Confounding her family’s career expectations of their British and Canadian-educated daughter, Master Mimz is breaking down barriers, one of the pioneering Arab women in the male-dominated world of rap and hip-hop.

Introducing Mimz’s “In-Your-Face” set was Randa Safieh, a member of the research network Exploring Song and Music Among Palestinians. “I began my research in 2006,” she explains. “Rap is the most effective way of telling people outside what it is like living under Israeli occupation. It connects bands living in the West Bank and Gaza with the Palestinian diaspora.” Going on to explain that this African-American genre speaks for an impoverished and politically marginalised underclass, Randa points out that it was only natural for Palestinian youth to connect with the musical style.

Where: The Arab British Centre in partnership with Leighton House Museum
Time: Friday, October 14 - 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: Leighton House Museum 12 Holland Park Road Free event.
Booking essential on 020 7471 9153
This event is part of the Nour Festival of Arts at Leighton House Museum, 1st October to 30th November 2011. www.nourfestival.co.uk