MSYLMA
Dhil-un Taht Shajarat Al-Zaqum (2019)

The solo debut by Mecca-based Msylma is a compelling coming-of-age tale sung in classical Arabic and set to stark, mystic electronic production by Zuli, 1127 and the artist himself for Rabit’s pioneering Halcyon Veil label.


A profoundly original record steeped in millennia of pre-Islamic (pagan) and Islamic theology and Arabic tradition, ظل تحت شجرة الزقوم which translates into "a patch of shade under the zaqum tree" sees Myslma convey an ancient sense of existential angst via the contemporary prism of electronic music in his singular style of emo-R&B and weightless grime expression. Although entirely sung in a form of classical Arabic that even modern day speakers may not comprehend, Msylma’s impassioned delivery and intonation conveys the gravity of the album’s themes in no uncertain terms.

https://boomkat.com/products/dhil-un-taht-shajarat-al-zaqum

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so7X13mCKdc

“A poll of non-English speakers by the British Council in 2004 found that "oi" was considered the 61st most beautiful word in the English language.”