Often used as a form of opposition against dominance, rap, as part of hip-hop culture since the 70s, originated in Africa, centuries before hip-hop was created. Rap is generally used to address marginalized groups.
Author and sociologist Nida Kirmani lately shared her two cents on privilege and rap on Twitter which did not sit well with many music fans. Nida referred to Faris Shafi as an “elite” rapper who was taking over a genre that was originally intended to voice the plight of the underprivileged.
The activist, in a tweet on Monday, shared that because “rap is an art form of the marginalized,” rappers like Faris should leave it.
Faris Shafi’s rap may be entertaining but only reinforces this. Rap is an art form of the marginalised, adopted & transformed by folks from the inner city. This is why the rappers like Eva B coming from Lyari are part of a wider tradition. The elite should leave at least this.
— Nida Kirmani (@NidaKirmani) January 31, 2022
One of the many defendants in Faris’s case was his sister and singer Meesha Shafi who explained why she found Nida’s argument “flat and problematic” when applied to him locally and specifically.
That’s a bit flat and problematic as a general perspective. Faris and I were raised by an extremely hard working, very financially stressed single mother. We do not come from money. Are you suggesting, just because she put her sweat and tears into
— MEESHA SHAFI (@itsmeeshashafi) January 31, 2022
In her argument, Nida failed to check whether Faris really comes from privilege and even if he does, what all the Pakistani hip-hop scene entails and stands for.
Meesha refuses to hold back:
“Faris and I were raised by an extremely hardworking, very financially stressed single mother. We do not come from money,” assured Meesha. “Are you suggesting, just because she put her sweat and tears into managing to give us a private education, we should step aside from our merits and talent and go do something else?” asked the Hot Mango Chutney Sauce crooner.
.. Managing to give us a private education, we should step aside from our merits and talent and go do something else? Besides.. he is a self made star, has done commercial work in music after over 10 years of making no money just so he doesn’t have to censor himself.
— MEESHA SHAFI (@itsmeeshashafi) January 31, 2022
When a user interjected, “But if you are not privileged, you can’t afford to live with all comforts without making money for 10 years,” Meesha replied, “who said he lived with all comforts? I know very well that people love to assume they know everything about public figures. But you know what they say about those who think they know everything, right?”
Who said he lived with all comforts? I know very well that people love to assume they know everything about public figures.. but you know what they say about those who think they know everything.. right?
— MEESHA SHAFI (@itsmeeshashafi) January 31, 2022
Meesha addressed Nida’s comment about Faris’ rap being entertaining and called it “a grossly reductive and offensive statement to his brilliant pen and courage.”
When Nida maintained that privileged groups are dominating the genre, Meesha countered that as well.
Oh Nida… I thought I saw some progress but..
Btw Punjabi tappay are very much rap that is indigenous to us. Ab agar Punjab se rap nikla to can’t hold that against the Punjabis. And I believe there is at least one academic paper on this. https://t.co/ZaO0rOqdO7
— MEESHA SHAFI (@itsmeeshashafi) January 31, 2022
In a separate tweet, Meesha also took a subtle jibe at Nida, who teaches at LUMS. “The elite should only be allowed to teach at universities and educate other elites. How dare they appear on Coke Studio.”
the elite should only be allowed to teach at universities and educate other elites. How dare they appear on Coke Studio.
— MEESHA SHAFI (@itsmeeshashafi) January 31, 2022
Shots were fired:
Meesha made sure to pepper Nida with jibes to support her brother.
Book smart people can be such know it alls. Not everything there is to know about life can be found on a paper.
— MEESHA SHAFI (@itsmeeshashafi) January 31, 2022
Actually what he’s really referring to is ‘ehsaas e kamtari’ but you already know that.
— MEESHA SHAFI (@itsmeeshashafi) January 31, 2022
Chalo jee. Faris is a total hermit. Doubt he even knows this stupid debate is happening.
Don’t flatter yourself. https://t.co/Ycx7UWYFJx
— MEESHA SHAFI (@itsmeeshashafi) January 31, 2022
As Nida refused to back down and maintained her position, she ended the debate on a lighter note and tweeted, “I do hope Faris and Meesha give me some royalties on their upcoming release for helping build so much hype around it!”
While privilege certainly plays a part in an artist’s success in Pakistan, Nida needs to realize she cannot use assumptions to call out a particular artist.
What do you think of this story? Let us know in the comments section below.