47SOUL

The Pioneers of Shamstep

Spearheading a new generation of Arabic music, 47SOUL have gained a staggering following with their pioneering Arabic electronic sound of ‘Shamstep’. Originally formed in Jordan in 2013, the bands’ music springs from the rich musical and cultural traditions of the Levant, the region of modern-day Palestine, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon. Fusing electronica and hip-hop with popular Arabic melodies and styles, the band pays homage to the region’s deeply rooted traditional folkloric music and dance style, Dabke.

Since releasing their debut album ‘Balfron Promise’ in 2018, the collective has toured around the world with their infectious sound. By 2019, they amassed 160 international live shows including Glastonbury, Roskilde and Womad Festival, alongside performances at NPR’s Tiny Desk, KEXP Sessions and Dubai’s Youtube Space as well as four North American tours.

Their highly anticipated new album Semitics, released on Cooking Vinyl, is a powerful testament to eight years of their musical journey and experience. Blending electronic dance music, with deeply political issues and lyrics, the album also includes an all-star cast of featured artists, from British-Iraqi rapper Lowkey, Palestinian rapper and singer Shadia Mansour, German-Chilean MC Fedzilla as well as two of Palestine’s most renowned rappers, Tamer Nafar and The Synaptik.