2006年VOA标准英语-Muslim Rap Group Uses Islam to Send Positive Me

By Indonesian service, Crystal Park
Washington, D.C.
24 November 2006
 
watch Muslim Rap report

Critics of American rap music say it glamorizes "thug" life, and contains too many violent themes and profanity. But one Muslim rap trio, known as Native Deen, is aiming to do the exact opposite with its music. The American rappers incorporate the teachings of Islam to send positive messages to their fans.

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Native Deen performing

They may sound like any other American rap group, but listen closer and you'll hear a big difference.

(singing) "I'm so glad to be M-U-S-L-I-M"

Native Deen is a Muslim rap group. Founding members Joshua Ahmad, Naeem Muhammad and Abdul-Malik Ahmad are American-born Muslims all in their mid-to-late twenties. Most mainstream¹ rap music in the United States talks about violence, drugs or sex, Native Deen's music is all about Islam and what it means to be a Muslim-American.

"We do believe, one of our mission statements is that we believe through our music we are creating a better understanding of Muslims and Islam," says Joshua.

Native Deen was formed in 2000 when the trio decided² to come together after performing separately at Muslim Youth of North America camps and other Islamic events. Their music has the same rhythmic³ rhyming as in mainstream rap, but they use only traditional drums, vocals⁴ and synthesized percussion⁵ in their live performances because many Muslims believe string and wind instruments should be avoided in Islam.

Member Naeem Muhammad says the melding of rap and Islam in their music was never intentional⁶ -- it was merely a natural product of growing up black and Muslim in America.

"It is, basically, the music of black youth who grew up in America,” says Naeem. “So, when we spoke⁷, it came out this way. And when we write it came out this way."

Native Deen performs mainly at Islamic conferences, fundraisers, weddings and religious holidays. They've even toured internationally. Their music has broad appeal, crossing gender⁸ and age lines. Native Deen prides itself on making wholesome⁹ music even young children can enjoy. And that's something one father is grateful for.

"I think it is good stuff. And for the kids here it is. I'm telling all the parents, go ahead, just let your children and express their Islam in this way, better this way than the old way back in the East."

In the past few months, Native Deen has reached a new level of celebrity¹⁰ thanks to a radio show that is broadcast over the Internet via the Islamic Broadcasting Network website. For fans who can't get enough, they can access Native Deen 24/7 at their website www.nativedeen.com.

1 mainstream   

n.（思想或行为的）主流；adj.主流的

参考例句：

• Their views lie outside the mainstream of current medical opinion.他们的观点不属于当今医学界观点的主流。
• Polls are still largely reflects the mainstream sentiment.民调还在很大程度上反映了社会主流情绪。

2 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

3 rhythmic   

adj.有节奏的，有韵律的

参考例句：

• Her breathing became more rhythmic.她的呼吸变得更有规律了。
• Good breathing is slow,rhythmic and deep.健康的呼吸方式缓慢深沉而有节奏。

4 vocals   

（乐曲中的）歌唱部份，声乐部份( vocal的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Also look out for soaring vocals on The Right Man. 另外，也可留意一下《意中人》中的那高亢的唱腔。
• Lazy bass line, lazier drums, lush violins, great piano and incomparable vocals. 懒惰的低音线，较懒惰的鼓，饮小提琴，棒的钢琴和无比的声音。

5 percussion   

n.打击乐器；冲突，撞击；震动，音响

参考例句：

• In an orchestra,people who play percussion instruments sit at the back.在管弦乐队中，演奏打击乐器的人会坐在后面。
• Percussion of the abdomen is often omitted.腹部叩诊常被省略。

6 intentional   

adj.故意的，有意（识）的

参考例句：

• Let me assure you that it was not intentional.我向你保证那不是故意的。
• His insult was intentional.他的侮辱是有意的。

7 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

8 gender   

n.（生理上的）性，（名词、代词等的）性

参考例句：

• French differs from English in having gender for all nouns.法语不同于英语，所有的名词都有性。
• Women are sometimes denied opportunities solely because of their gender.妇女有时仅仅因为性别而无法获得种种机会。

9 wholesome   

adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的

参考例句：

• In actual fact the things I like doing are mostly wholesome.实际上我喜欢做的事大都是有助于增进身体健康的。
• It is not wholesome to eat without washing your hands.不洗手吃饭是不卫生的。

10 celebrity   

n.名人，名流；著名，名声，名望

参考例句：

• Tom found himself something of a celebrity. 汤姆意识到自己已小有名气了。
• He haunted famous men, hoping to get celebrity for himself. 他常和名人在一起, 希望借此使自己获得名气。