A snippet of an old folk song promises
Ahmed Shehab Aldeen
Mystical Writer & Spiritual Coach | Expert in Sufi Traditions, LSD Insights, and Cultural Narratives | Inspiring Creative Minds
In his work "The Intellectual and Power," Palestinian-American thinker Edward Said attempted to define the figure of "the exiled intellectual."
Now, a new era is forming as major institutions and systems relax their grip on people's emotions, social media exerts its impact, and an alternative economy based on public participation through technology begins to materialize.
After the Arab Spring revolutions and the "Occupy" movements in the streets of capitalist countries, there may be infrastructure available for this "exiled intellectual'.
One does not aim for recognition, fame, or awards, which are often monopolized by corrupt systems.
He aspires to a life filled with momentum, embracing an ethical and poetic stance that rejects ugliness and corruption.
This denial of the system's shadows changes people's lives for the better and keeps Earth from sinking into a pit of despair. By doing so, it provides intellectuals with the means to a prosperous and fulfilling life.
In this context, we selected two cases that embody the concept of the "exiled intellectual," namely, that of Sheikh Imam, the forefather of expressive singing and political and social satire in Egypt, and that of Rodriguez, an American singer of Mexican descent, known for his songs that celebrate the street and rebellion while also criticizing the modern way of life.
They both carry the promises of change that the new millennium holds.
What distinguishes American culture is also what sets it apart from Egyptian culture. American culture is modern, central, free from the taboos of the past, and open to the spirit of experimentation.
On the other hand, ancient cultural and ethical restrictions have a strong influence on Egyptian culture and its bond with the land.?
The two figures share a similar upbringing in countries plagued by oppression and poverty.?
Sheikh Imam and Jesus Sixto Diaz-Rodriguez, who are they?
Sheikh Imam was born in Abu Nimros Village, Giza, Egypt, and later journeyed to Cairo.
In the early days of his artistic career, he struggled with isolation.
However, everything changed when he met Ahmed Fouad Negm. Together, they sang in the vibrant Ghoureya neighborhood in Old Cairo.?
On the other hand, Rodriguez was born to Mexican immigrant parents. Like many others in the Mexican community, he and his family endured the hardships of poverty and neglect in Michigan, United States.?
Rodriguez, who was born in 1942 and passed away on August 8, 2023, released two albums. The first one, titled "Old Facts," came out in 1970, while the second one, named "Coming from Reality," was released in 1972.
He had the privilege of working with some of the biggest producers in the music industry and recording his songs at Motown Records, the iconic record label founded in 1959.
Rodriguez, despite putting out two albums, failed to find commercial success in the US.
He had?decided to give up on music as a result and seek a career as a builder.
It is a tragic phenomenon that many of his American peers suffered, which the American sociologist C. Wright Mills referred to as the "independent intellectual." Mills described this persona as experiencing a sense of despair and powerlessness due to their marginality.
In the end, the persona chooses to engage with institutions, corporations, and governments as members of relatively small groups.
Sweet-bitter success outside the home
Rodriguez's albums made their way to South Africa, where they gained widespread circulation. As depicted in the documentary "Searching for Sugar Man" by Malik Benjelloul, a Swedish director of Syrian descent, Rodriguez became the best-selling singer in South Africa during the 1970s, earning him phenomenal success.
In another land, an American newspaper mocked his lack of recognition in America with the headline, "American zero, South African hero." As portrayed in the film, his songs can be heard throughout South Africa, whether taking a taxi, enjoying a drink at a bar, or simply passing by shops.
Rodriguez's music has captured the hearts of everyone in South Africa.
There were various speculations about his identity after he abruptly disappeared and got involved in construction work.
According to the most widespread rumor, he was a Native American performer who had appeared on stage before tragically taking his own life.
Rodriguez's existence and employment in the building materials sector would have remained unknown if it weren't for his daughter's internet access and communication skills.
On the other side, Sheikh Imam's songs have gained popularity outside of Egypt, particularly in Tunisia and Syria.
Anyone who attends the concerts held in honor of Sheikh Imam outside of his native country can easily distinguish between the theaters and the small, hushed audiences in the rooms of old neighborhoods in Egypt, where the folk singer enjoys great popularity.
Go through the revolution
The songs of Rodriguez filled revolutionary squares, with the first being sung in public squares in South Africa during the mid-sixties of the last century amidst uprisings against apartheid. It was as if the act of singing those songs in the squares itself was “the reward” that Edward Said spoke about.
The government of South Africa has decided to ban Rodriguez's music because of its lyrical content, which encourages drug use and incites rebellion against the societal system.?
In the movie, a South African government official stated that they considered songs like "Sugar Man" to be immoral and encourage decadence.
Sheikh Imam's songs appeared to have been specifically written for “the political revolution” and rapidly spread throughout the areas associated with it.
Through this, Imam achieved "effective communication" with the people—a power that is typically monopolized by the authority through its major organizations and institutions. Like Rodriguez, he stands "between a sense of isolation and alignment with the people," as expressed by Edward Said.
Sheikh Imam represents the culture of Egyptians, who witness the abundance of wealth around them but are unable to experience even the bare minimum of it.
He embodies this in a sensual scene written by Naguib Shehab El-Din, and in a satirical and expressive performance, in which he excelled, much like his South African counterpart: "Stop your horse on the throne, and God Almighty, you will receive. The little one is incensed and full, the chest is marble, and the breasts are naked. I put my hands on the breasts and watch.."
Sheikh Imam skillfully incorporates popular songs of Egypt's peasants, infusing them with political and social meanings.
One of his songs starts with a picturesque scene of girls conveying water and singing, "Why does the sea laugh? I am just going out to fill the pot with water."
Swiftly, it transforms into a heartfelt plea to the homeland, expressing, "Between you and me, there is a wall after wall, and I am neither a genie nor a bird."
Perhaps the dominance of conservatism in Egyptian culture prompted Sheikh Imam to resort to the symbol.
Unlike Rodriguez, he is able to handle the absolute human values that are sparked by the specifics of a modern, intimate life that allows for rebellion, sex, and drug use. At least at those specific times.
Two weeks after the failure of Rodriguez’s first album, he sang a song that echoed the vocabulary specific to their culture, including references to the famous sexual magazine "Playboy."
We also hear him talking about the Sieur bar that he frequents, where he criticizes the American habit of drinking excessively every Sunday until they "drown the sun."
Rodriguez adopts a voice that radiates joy, mixed with a touch of bitter sarcasm.
He asks in another song, “I Wonder,”: “Then what?” How many times have I made love? Wonder who will be next? I wonder about the tears in the eyes of children and dead men, I wonder when the hatred will end.
This music has a unique rhythm that resonates with LSD users. In the song "I Wonder," a few minutes feel like a lifetime as the captivating female voice becomes an embodiment of the music. The sequential rhythm reverberates, creating an endless play in the listener's heart.
All the while criticizing the tendency of consumerism in American society, which transforms life experiences into mere consumption, emptying them of their true meaning.
On the other hand, Sheikh Imam did not extensively mention hashish or use vocabulary related to drunkenness, except in a limited and sometimes disapproving context.
In addition to his condemnation of wineries being built "next to the factories" in "Build Your Palaces," we also find him expressing his thoughts in the song "Al-Adib Al-Adabati".
Sheikh Imam fell into the trap of Egyptian nationalism through the lyrics of his most overtly political songs.
He sanctifies his native land with the music he creates.
This is a tendency that began to be defeated in the world since the 1970s, during which Sheikh Imam sang, “Egypt is a mother, oh Bahia, oh mother of a scarf and a galabiya.” In addition to being preoccupied with purely political songs related to real-time events, such as "Nice honor, Nixon, Daddy."
On the other hand, this directness plays a revolutionary role in the media by refuting official political narratives. As Mills described it, it is a form of "unmasking" that aligns with the role of the "independent intellectual."
In a recorded concert, Rodriguez, who is over sixty years old, states that he will live until he dies. This sentiment reflects the attitude that any artist, singer, or writer should adopt in the face of the negative forces such as corruption, fanaticism, and ugliness that collapsing regimes attempt to impose on people. Rodriguez expresses the need for individuals to resist enslavement and follow the path envisioned by Edward Said.
This path involves being an amateur, poetical, and an émigré as an “exile intellectual”.
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We adapted the original Arabic version of this article from the Madamasr website. The references mentioned are based on Arabic-language writings and publications.