There are times in life when all you need is 10 seconds to displace you. I remember the first time I ever heard Nizlopi’s music; I shuddered to a halt, unable to comprehend such beautiful messages. There was no looking back. For everything I have ever felt, there is a Nizlopi track that goes with it, strumming hope and happiness into my life soundtrack.

Nizlopi is a folk, hip-hop duo made up of two good friends who have been writing songs together for 17 years; Luke Concannon (vocals, guitar) and John Parker (double bass, human beatbox, guitar).

To truly understand the beauty of Nizlopi you have to pay attention to their message, which is full of truth, freedom, justice and above all, love. For anyone who’s ever had the Cairo blues, the song Love Is will massage away the blue and replace it with a familiar saffron. I can confidently say that during Mohandiseen’s most inglorious hours, when the shebab poke at you with tinted spirit, you will always feel a bit warmer if you have The JCB Song serenading you from the depths of your bruised pocket.

Luke Concannon is currently traveling through the Middle East, having visited Turkey, Egypt and Palestine amongst others during the bands current hiatus. Speaking to Bikya Masr, the vocalist said that “We love soul music, spiritual music, folk, hip-hop and particularly music that tells the truth.”

Luke talked about the beauty of living and the “forces that are destroying life on the planet at an increasing rate” as well as each person’s complicity in this destruction. He added that, “Nizlopi is about giving your best, writing soul songs. Singing and dancing together. And making love happen.” This sentiment is certainly expressed in one of my personal favorite tracks, Start Beginning which it would be a crime to play at anything but full volume.

Concannon stressed that for Nizlopi, the priority is to make great music and to “challenge the main stream’s shadow side” as well as “giving people a great time through deeply alive music.”

Nizlopi is a journey in every way; their music oozes longing for something better, the pursuit of greatness as well as enjoying the quest itself. This is never more obvious than in the track Answers which has a simple but absolutely enchanting beginning- both musically and lyrically. While Parker’s gift of melody captures your soul, Concannon’s hypnotic tone and sincerity will release your heart.

Luke Concannon also talked about his travels in the Middle East, having visited Turkey and Egypt as well as Palestine and Israel. He noted that “Istanbul is deeply magical” and that “Immediately on entering the Middle East you get a feeling of immense warmth and kindness from the people. They are very from the heart and hospitable. It’s a very old place, one of ‘the cradles of civilization’.” Concannon also praised the bounty of the region “in terms of beautiful fruits and vegetables, religions and spiritual approaches, poets and musicians.”

The vocalist is currently touring Israel and Palestine and engages with the people and suffering that exists in the region. Yet in true Nizlopi-style he commented on the hope and beauty of the situation, adding that, “In …one of the darkest moments in the conflicts history, people here keep building bridges. Solidarity. Standing up for what they feel. Building community together. Protesting.

There is hope here. There is a non-violence movement. A humility. A belief in forgiveness. People here are hungry for a Mandela! And I’m sure one will come in time.”

This is why it is difficult not to love Nizlopi’s musical and moral seduction and it is pointless to try.

If you have never heard Nizlopi’s music, download an album now. Take my credit card. I’d recommend their first album “Half These Songs Are About You” just to get you hooked. Every word that is ushered will make you think iTunes is flirting with you and there are another two albums-worth of sweet everythings to keep you on a high until next Ramadan.

Concannon stresses the importance of solidarity with those who are suffering, because “Those who are getting crushed, displaced, killed, sucked dry, they need our friendship and to know they are not alone.” Such comments echo the lyrics to the track Girls: “Gotta love and forgive, or you can’t breathe”. Maybe the cure to the current global conflict lies simply in a good dose of Nizlopi.

It is fantastic that artists are taking an interest in the Middle East and that, despite the power of Fox News et al, there is a growing number of people who break away from the status quo and choose to witness the truth first-hand. It gives hope that groups such as Nizlopi who have the power to reach out to the community, use that power to spread a message of hope.

As for a lesson that Luke Concannon has learnt along the way in his physical and figurative travels through the Middle East and the wider world; he said that more and more he realizes “how we need to take in refugees, not vilify them!” He added that “human rights work is essential. And along view that we, as a people, will one day reach the promised land! We may need to be patient though. And keep walking.”

Word.

** Nizlopi shot to the fame after having the highest-grossing single in Christmas 2005 with the heart-warming JCB Song and have since been steadily producing more songs through their own label FDM Records. John Parker and Luke Concannon will meet in January to discuss their next steps. Check out their website.

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