The Little Syria Show 🎙️ Kennedy Center Premiere 2019

Set amidst the backdrop of the fabled #LittleSyria neighborhood in NYC (1880-1940), this unique performance project bridges Hip-Hop & live Arabic instrumentation with the time-honored #Hakawati storytelling traditions of the Levant. MC / Poet Omar #Offendum (#Syria via LA) is joined by Oud virtuoso Ronnie Malley (Palestine via Chicago) & beatmaker Thanks Joey (Syria via Brooklyn), to uncover what life in the heart of Arab-America was like over a century ago; while informing much of what is (still) happening today in terms of immigration, xenophobia, Syria & the ever-evolving notion of an “American dream”.
This 11-min medley (of the 1-hour show) was presented at the annual Arts Summit in Washington DC on April 29, 2019, concluding Omar Offendum's Citizen Artist Fellowship with The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

[@yourenviousenemy]

Yo Omar I dunno if you remember me, you and Nizar did a live performance at a Free The P rally in NYC. Me and my brother were there and I had spit some raps for you cuz we Palestinian rappers as well. You were so kind you let me take the mic and spit some bars. I made a fool of myself because I was young and didn't have the experience as an artist I have now, but the opportunity y'all gave me meant a lot. I appreciate everything you do for us and you are a true talent. Thanks 🇵🇸🇵🇸

[@FaridHQ]

Thank you for educating with such style and passion.

[@ntferris]

Wonderful. My elders made it to Little Syria when they came to America before and after WW1. They all had such warm memories of the neighbourhood.

[@FeaturingTala]

This is truly beautiful. Old meets new and east meets west. Can't wait to see what else is in store

[@Rupshione1]

Great job guys beautiful piece!🕌

[@alysergie7093]

Great performance. Congratulations

[@HasanKhaleelAlKurdi]

Nice piece Omar :)

[@freethebeauty9834]

Wow...Amazing...just beautiful. Brilliant! I am in owe. Just discovered your music and creations. Greetings from Greece

[@alimerhi5531]

Thank you for doing it. Love it

[@ayasoBoutique]

And that's what you call a performance!

[@carlosalvarracin1584]

Congratulations Omar .

[@rjhomsobaid2117]

Beautiful

[@SA-oq5lz]

MY MIND IS BLOWN

[@ed3243]

Loved it

[@rebaljber]

❤️ impressive performance 👏

[@ArielViera]

Man this is so good!! Great music and love how you told the story of an often-overlooked part of NYC history 🙏

[@billymalleybillal1905]

Bravo 👏 very creative fulfilling knowledge entertaining short and simply amazing

[@freeeee2111]

This is amzing

[@Ghost-tx7je]

شكرا لك اخي عمر لا زال الوعي موجود

[@ghaithjouni9061]

😍

[@Safwan953]

رائع ، تحية كبيرة لك ولهم

[@munni65]

🔥🔥🔥

[@scottyissogreat]

"Hamtramck to San Fran"

[@mohamedelshama3247]

فنان

[@jj9homer]

Ya ahl al-Shaam!

[@jeffaholics2289]

كيفك عمر قابلتك بال٢٠٠٦ بنيو يورك

[@narcy]

3eesh

[@baheshtaazizi9675]

What is the title for the last song?

[@mohamadspaie2987]

toppen

[@TIMMYSIPRANO]

EH' MASH'ALLAH!