47Soul – Mo Light

Globetrotters from Palestine tell their people’s woes while dancing to a mix of western and arabic sounds

The members of 47SOUL represent the diverse stories of the dispersed Palestinian people: immigrants to the US, refugees in Jordan, and Arab-Israeli citizens. They incredibly started out without living in the same place, their complicated stories making it hard to find common ground. Having relocated to London in 2014, they are now the torchbearers of a global, modern Palestinian message.

Navigating genres from East and West as deftly as they have their various homelands, their sound is a mix of pop, middle-eastern tradition, dance beats, and much more. Their lyrics fleet from English to Arabic and back again without a second thought. And their mood is never overbearing despite their background: the matter-of-fact presentation of the grave conditions of their fellow countrymen, the revolutionary calls for justice and peace are sprinkled with optimism and light-spirited vibes. It is heavy stuff alright, but it’s also a party where the whole word is invited.