Long Live, Lowkey

Lowkey has been an outspoken figure in the UK for many years, showing support to all Palestinians and spreading the message of a free Palestine –something we dream of, here in Gaza, where I write to you from. He has also been a part of my own life, especially within the last year, where his presence has not only been felt, but has created a positive, direct impact on mine and my family’s life. I would like to share how I first met Lowkey, and the direction of where that fateful conversation has taken me in my life over the last twelve months.

It was extremely overwhelming back in May 2021, as we in Gaza were brutally attacked by the Israeli forces. I was in my room, trying to prepare myself to speak to the world on Instagram Live, while Israeli warplanes were bombing my city aggressively. I set up the place, put on my big headphones (which were supposed to cancel noise both in my ears and on the microphone, so as not to get distracted by the bombardments happening outside of my home). I pushed through my pain to be able to speak to the world in real time. The live stream started, where I first met my friend, Zarefah Baroud, for the very first time on camera; I could only say I wish I had met her in better circumstances – more humane circumstances. I was then surprised to see Lowkey joining us. Immediately, I was confused: it didn't register in my head that Lowkey himself was in the live stream.

I was a huge fan, but I failed to recognize my hero… maybe for the fact I never imagined I'd ever speak to him directly like that?

I still can't believe myself that I didn't recognize Lowkey! It could’ve been due to the stress and anxiety of the chaos around me: the fierce pressure of the attack, an overload of work to do during the war, sleepless nights, losing my appetite and subsequently having little to no energy. I was working hard for 16 hours a day for local a youth organization, called We Are Not Numbers, where I co-ordinated tens of interviews for Palestinian youths to speak to international journalists, agencies, and organizations. I rarely co-ordinated interviews for myself because I wanted to give those opportunities to fresh faces to tell their stories, to represent Palestine – particularly Gaza – at the time. However, I was personally asked to join American Muslims for Palestine in a live Instagram stream, and to that I couldn't say no.

On that particular night, the explosions were so powerful that it relentlessly shook my building, and loud enough to make a roar in the live stream. I warned Lowkey and Zarefah that I will probably disconnect at any second, but before that happened, I tried to show the world what was happening, only it was too dark for my phone to capture the smoke I witnessed with my naked eyes. More to say, the live stream didn't end well as the bombardments had reached my area. Due to our living conditions within Gaza, we had a severe lack of electricity, and shamelessly uncharged batteries (that powered our home), so it was easy to anticipate disconnection from my side at any moment.

During the conversation with Lowkey and Zarefah, a very close explosion took place; it electrified myself and everyone in the live stream. My phone turned off, while the explosions grew louder. I remained close with my parents and little siblings to see if we would survive and make it to the next day. Hundreds of my Palestinian people were falling during the ordeal. I certainly never knew, but we could have always been next.

Thankfully, my family and I survived the night, and woke up the next day to many lovely messages and comments to check up on me. Despite the shock that reverberated in my mind and body from the night before, I was shocked again by Lowkey's presence in my WhatsApp inbox! Lowkey had personally texted me from his private number to check up on me! He made me see a bright side – a bright side I thought I would never see – if I hadn’t met him in the live stream on that particular night.

Lowkey's impact after that night had given me a bunch of supporters, who have followed me on social media after the stream, and was especially blessed to have gained online friends, around the world, who have had my back up to this very day (one of them is editing this story – follow her fabulous self on Instagram @klup_life). Why I hold Lowkey so dear to my heart is that no matter how big of a star he continues to be, he retained communication with me from time to time to check up on how I was and how Gaza was healing from its severe pain, after the bombardments in May 2021.

His influence didn't stop there. When I turned to him for help with my mother’s fundraising campaign (to have a very complicated and very expensive surgery in Turkey), he didn’t hesitate to help me behind the scenes and in public, despite the fact that he was very busy while on tour. He promoted the fundraising page on his Instagram account, which undoubtedly was a major push in our campaign’s progress: within three days, we had raised all of the money needed to get my mom the operation she needed! As a kid who had to witness his mother in ultimate physical pain for over fourteen years, I couldn’t be more grateful to Lowkey and everyone who had helped me in the fundraising campaign.

If anyone doubts Lowkey’s values and morals, this story should help others to see that he lives by them in real life; they’re not publicity strategies. His history has so far witnessed his solidarity with the people of Palestine and many other countries around the world. Lowkey’s support for a free Palestine has encouraged the backing of many communities around the world, as well as foes in higher places:

Lowkey is currently being attacked by the Israeli Occupation; the Israeli lobby demands Spotify delete his music to silence his powerful voice. It can potentially cause a terrible impact on Lowkey's income and music career. This is a call for action, because extraordinary artists like Lowkey mustn’t be silenced for standing up for the Palestinian people!

Israel’s demand should invite, on the contrary, us all to prevent this unfair, inhumane, forcible Israeli punishment. By supporting Lowkey on social media, buying his music, listening to his podcast, reading his words and spreading his videos of his courageous actions, he would never be able to be silenced, nor his career stopped in its tracks.

The Israeli lobby cannot silence a voice that speaks to millions of people around the world.

We must protect Lowkey at all costs. For us in Palestine, it is a big deal for us to see Lowkey’s content on Youtube and on social media, especially for the people in Gaza: due to the Israeli occupation of Palestine, as well as the Israeli blockade on Gaza, we have lived in a mind-set that the world would never care for us. Watching Lowkey’s videos of himself shouting ‘FREE FREE PALESTINE!’ brought tears to my eyes. His love and support, over the years, has revived every Palestinian soul. Our people have been helplessly massacred by a merciless army for decades, and then to see someone in London, like Lowkey, enlightening the world and telling your stories everywhere he went… words cannot explain! Finally, someone out there cared for us!

Since my meeting with Lowkey, last year, I have started a project called Pal-Casters to empower more Palestinian youths to project their voices - just like he empowered my own on many occasions. The project is dedicated to him just as much as it is dedicated to all Palestinian voices.

I thank you, Lowkey, for everything you have achieved over the years for my people. Thank you for refusing to be silenced, and for your persistence to fight for a free Palestine. Thank you for being there for me and my family. You are a true inspiration.

Stay strong, my brother. We have your back.

Sign the petition below to support Lowkey from being silenced on Spotify:

https://www.change.org/p/spotify-do-not-buckle-to-pressure-from-the-israel-lobby-to-deplatform-lowkey