URBAN VAULT UK
Lebanon-based twin emcees R.Y.M recently released their track/visual AL QIYAMA
The talented Lebanese twin duo R.Y.M have exploded onto the music scene with their remarkable release ‘Al Qiyama,’ a powerful single which is a culmination of 10 years of ‘walking the path’ drawn by their ‘childhood selves.’ The new single represents the refreshing new perspective of evolved and advancing Middle East youth; the moving idea that the people of the future are not afraid to stand out, speak up and ‘fearlessly advocate for what is right or wrong.’ Al Qiyama directly translates from Arabic to English as ‘Resurrection,’ and this eponymously reflects the song’s calling to Middle Eastern populations to replace the indoctrinated instincts of ‘Bigotry and War’ with much more progressive ‘dialogue, compassion, understanding & development.’ With an extended recording process due to one of the twin’s expatriation, ‘Al Qiyama,’ was brought to life in Red Booth Studio in Mount Lebanon during the twin’s intermittent, yearly visits and the pair reverted to co-ordinating virtually between the short windows of recording. ‘Al Qiyama,’ has an accompanying lyric video that further reinforces its quintessential and crucial message, a truly unmissable introduction to R.Y.M
Hailing from the pride of Lebanon in Byblos, R.Y.M are a talented twosome of 27-year-olds who pride themselves on their refusal to accept the ‘status quo.’ Born into an increasingly complex of war, injustice, and fear radiating locally and internationally, R.Y.M traversed their turbulent childhood/adolescence with a constant challenge and questioning of the very essence of their country’s belief system. This unjustly warranted them the label of ‘unusual,’ which almost acted as a driving force – along with ‘internal turbulence and external turmoil’ – to trigger a need to put pen to paper and start creatively expressing.
The precise turning point can be credited to the summer of 2006 when R.Y.M (an acronym for Rouhana Yves Marc,) truly began; songwriting, performing a musical act. What started as rudimentary romantic Hip Hop tunes of imaginary breakups and differing narratives evolved into much more poignant and emancipating commentary on war, poverty, injustice, abuse, emotional well-being, and hope. The meanings behind the poetry and rhymes grew deeper with time and experience and R.Y.M goes far and beyond the simple, unquestioning formalities of certain modern groups and projects who reside in the comfortable realm of oblivion; yet the duo certainly appreciate the power of Rap music in ‘depicting realities in a straightforward and elaborate manner.’
However, the pair’s hype and drive were underappreciated and not reciprocated for several years in their pursuit of a successful Rap career resulting from factors such as a lack of depth in their English vocabulary and the predominant population of Lebanon failing to relate to the themes explored in Hip Hop music. R.Y.M are admirably dedicated to making change by any means possible and have played their significant part in working with NGOs, INGOs, and UN agencies on projects related to protection, development, and humanitarian interventions. Following a short 7-year hiatus from music, R.Y.M’s musical gap gave them time to develop the Leave a Mark Project self-described as ‘the realization and concretization of RYM’s dream to make an impact in the world but this time via bigger platforms and larger scopes.’ The duo are constantly providing encouragement and inspiration for change and evolution in what they view as an archaic society; R.Y.M are crucial as both an artist and an advocate for modern, societal progression.