The legacy of the Arab Spring and Hip-Hop collide in Laughter in the Dark

thefader.com:

Over a decade ago, a period of anti-government revolution swept across the Arab world; with the death of Tunisian fruit and vegetable vendor Mohamed Bouazizi, who set himself on fire in protest outside a provincial government building, acting as its catalyst.

What followed was a series of street demonstrations, rebellions, and uprisings in other countries including, Libya, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, and Egypt where millions called for the dismantling of corrupt regimes.

By the end of 2012, the movement had ground to a halt; spurned by civil wars and authoritarian regimes taking root once again.

In Laughter in the Dark: Egypt to the Tune of Change, leading Egyptian author and journalist Yasmine El Rashidi explores the conditions that lead to the end of the Arab Spring, and how a thriving hip-hop movement known as mahraganat offers a new way for Egypt’s youth to be heard.