Gazan child raps about broken dreams under siege

Abdel Rahman Salih al-Shanti is an 11-year-old rapper from the Gaza Strip, who found his calling when he was only nine years old. Shanti raps songs in English, addressing the dire situation in Gaza and the suffering of Gazans — and especially the children — under the Israeli blockade that has been in place on the coastal enclave for 14 years now. 

Shanti’s talent has gone beyond the borders of Palestine, reaching millions of viewers and listeners around the world through social media. 

One of his video clips where he appears rapping in fluent English standing outside of his elementary school in Gaza City, surrounded by his classmates, received thousands of views on social media sites. Shanti says he is influenced by international rappers and hip-hop artists such as Eminem, Tupac, Waheeb Naasan and Masari.