Processing Music in Times of Crisis | Shik Shak Shook Ones
This episode of Shik Shak Shook Ones is an emotionally charged venting session and an appeal for more thoughtful engagement with culture in times of hardship. Hosts Danny and Deana vent their frustrations, share their experiences, and tackle the responsibilities of artists and journalists in reflecting and responding to political and humanitarian events, highlighting the difficulties of detaching politics from music. As people in the music industry, our hosts try to navigate their social and cultural responsibilities, reflecting on their struggle to engage in music amidst the ongoing war on the Palestinian, Lebanese and Sudanese people. They call out artists and labels who claim the importance of their Arab identity in their journey for their perceived silence, criticizing them for exploiting cultural identities without truly supporting their communities. They emphasize the importance of authenticity and genuine activism from artists, and shine the light on music entities and artists who are using their platforms for positive impact and have been as loud as ever about the struggles of people in the region.
Theme Music 👉 Sleiman Damien
Hosted by: Deana Soni & Danny Hajjar
Deana is a dedicated presenter and journalist with a special focus on highlighting the cultural richness of the MENA region and fostering a deeper understanding of the diverse voices within the community. In 2020, she launched the UK's first Arabic and North African radio show, which showcased and platformed talented artists from the regions and diaspora, before creating her new platform, WASTA, in 2024. Additionally, she was the official host for the Assassin's Creed Mirage podcast, which explored medieval Iraq and its rich history. Deana also created the viral show Musconceptions, which debunked myths about Islam through comedy and garnered over 10 million views on social media.
Danny Hajjar is a music journalist based in Washington, DC writing about the emerging Arabic music scene and the new wave of artists from the Middle East, North Africa, and its diaspora communities. He runs the award-winning digital zine Sa’alouni El Nas, highlighting trends in the Arabic scene, profiling artists, and reviewing music.
Shik Shak Shook Ones
From Beirut to Cairo and Dubai to Casablanca, hosts Deana Hassanein Soni and Danny Hajjar are diving into the hottest topics in music coming from the Middle East, North Africa, and its global diaspora communities. Join them for spicy and unfiltered perspectives, exclusive interviews, heated debates, and in-depth insider perspectives putting the MENA music scene in context. Whether you're a music enthusiast or just curious about the MENA region's vibrant music, Shik Shak Shook Ones is your backstage pass to this exciting scene.
