THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAS
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2008
NEWS
3A
MUSIC
Israeli funk group to perform at Bottleneck
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
The seven-member group, Nadag Nachash, will perform at the Bottleneck on Thursday. This hip-hop, funk group from Israel prefers to write lyrics focused on issues that affect the Israeli people over mainstream hip-hop themes.
BY ANDREW WIEBE
awiebe@kansan.com
On Thursday night, University of Kansas students will be treated to a free show from Israeli funk group, Hadag Nachach, at the Bottleneck. The performance will kick off KU Hillel's celebrations in honor of Israel's 60th anniversary.
Hadag Nachash, a well-known music group from Israel, plays a mixture of funk, hip-hop, jazz and electronica that combines Western music with traditional Israeli music. The seven-man group's appearance in Lawrence was made possible by funding from Student Senate.
Jason Oruch, Plano, Texas, student senator, wrote the bill that sponsored Hadad Nachash's visit to Lawrence. Oruch said the combination of one of Israel's most famous hip-hop groups with KU Hillel's reputation as a student group made it easy to recommend using Senate funds to pay for the event.
"I personally feel that this is going to be the biggest multicultural event to ever come to campus." Oruch said.
Matt Lehrman, KU Hillel program director, worked with Oruch to bring the group to Lawrence. He said Hillel members were excited to see such a famous act from Israel at the University.
"Everyone is thrilled," Lehrman said. "We anticipate The Bottleneck being filled to capacity On Thursday night. It's a really unique opportunity, especially to be able to offer it for free for all students."
Although the performance will be almost entirely in Hebrew, Minneapolis sophomore Joe Jaffe said the language gap didn't take away from the experience and the show's atmosphere. Jaffe said he had attended two of Hadag Nachash's shows and planned to attend on Thursday.
"I think they put on a good show. It's entertaining and even though I don't understand a thing they are saying, it's still a fun show to attend."
Jaffe said.
Lead vocalist of Hadag Nachash, Sha'anai Streett, said most American audiences focused more on the music rather than the lyrics because very few speak Hebrew. He said the group has shunned mainstream hip-hop themes in order to focus on issues that affect the Israeli people.
"Most of my lyrics are about our life in Israel and not about bitches, hoes, cars and drugs," Strett said. "A little bit of drugs, but most of the things are about politics, finance and things like that."
The group has been making periodical tours throughout the United States since 2004. Streett said.
Nachash's music because of the way he could communicate his message to the audience.
Though the group focused primarily on funk music initially, Streett said hip-hop and rap crept into the Hadag
"I was influenced by the freedom in hin-hon lyrics
When: Thursday at 9 p.m.
Where: The Bottleneck
Price: free for students, $10
for non-students
Age: 18+
that you could use, and I wasn't familiar with that in Hebrew," he said. "What what did it for me."
"Snakefish" in Hebrew, but Strett said it was only a play on words without any significant meaning. Because
Hadag Nachash
Hadag Nachash literally means
—Edited by Russell Davies
of its sometimes controversial lyrics about terrorism and the Israeli way of life, Streets said the group inspired a wide range of emotion within their supporters and critics.
"I know some people love us and some people hate us, but that's fine," Streett said. "Instead of going with the common denominator, we do
what we believe."
Lehrman said Hadag Nachash's dedication to producing socially conscious music was one aspect of the group that drew people to its work. He said it was the ideal way to begin celebrations for Israel's 60th anniversary and have a good time in the process.
"It's good music, but they are really a unique act and a unique perspective on Israeli life," Lehrman said. "To be able to see them in Lawrence just kind of seals the deal. It's pretty exciting."
INTERNATIONAL
Cease-fire in Chad
N'DIAMENA, Chad — Hundreds of civilians have died in fierce fighting between rebels and government forces in Chad's capital, Red Cross officials said Tuesday, as the insurgents agreed to a cease-fire and their momentum faded. Former colonial power France threatened to enter the fight to support the government.
Chad's government told the French military it still was fighting rebels using "air power" outside of N'Djamena, the capital, according to French military spokesman Cmdr. Christophe Prazuck.
Chief rebel leader Mahamat Nouri charged they were being bombarded by French Mirage jets — but France said it had not yet gone on the attack. French intervention in the past helped stave off a major rebel attack in this oil-rich country on President Idris Deby, accused by the insurgents of corruption and embezzling millions in oil revenue.
Tuesday, bodies lay rotting under a tropical sun in N'Djamaena, according to a local reporter who left his home Tuesday for the first time since the rebels entered on Saturday.
Corpses of more than 10 military and civilian victims were sprawled across Avenue Mobutu, a main thoroughfare. The charred hulks of two tanks and several pickup trucks, used by both sides in the fighting, littered the streets.
Most downtown shops and buildings have been looted. Further from the center, the state broadcasting station and the parlament building were stripped by rampaging looters.
The Presidential Palace, which backs onto the Chari River, was off limits, the entrance blocked by tanks and tree limbs. Presidential Guards patrolled outside.
Associated Press
THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS February 6, 2008 SENATE
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Asian New Year (TET Saturday, February 16, 2008
7:00pm·Kansas Union Ballroom
Explore Asian-American culture's official 2008 Lunar New Year's festivity. Traditional performances, skits, and fashion trends will be introduced. Lucky money will be passed to audience members.
All you can eat Vietnamese food served for FREE before the show at the ECM (Ecumenical Christian Ministriesacross the street from Yello Sub) from 5:30pm-7:00pm FREE Admission, so invite all your family and friends! If you have any questions, please contact our Facebook organization: KU VSA 2007-2008 or duytbui@ku.edu
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