{"product_id":"laughter-in-the-dark-by-yasmine-el-rashidi-9798987053508","title":"Laughter in the Dark","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat can hip-hop tell us about Egypt today?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA decade ago, millions of Egyptians took to the streets in a people-led revolution that captivated the world's attention and sent ripples across the Middle East. But the so-called \"Arab Spring\" quickly faded, and a return to the status quo—of authoritarian rule—was cemented. What happened to the energy and desire for change?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn Egypt, the answer lies in its youth, who comprise the bulk of the country's fast-growing 106 million citizens. Sixty percent of the population is under the age of twenty-five, and their world views are very much influenced by social media: TikTok is their primary language and medium of choice. Music is their means of expression—in particular, a thriving hip-hop scene known as \u003cem\u003emahraganat\u003c\/em\u003e. This music has given voice to deep dissatisfaction with the Egyptian state and the overall conditions of Egyptian society and culture. Could this be the start of a force for change? \u003cem\u003eLaughter in the Dark\u003c\/em\u003e is a riveting portrait of a country that is being transformed, for good or bad, by the rise of a fresh youth culture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e'Told with an insider's perspective—El Rashidi writes with equal authority when chronicling the revolution and analyzing song lyrics—this is a persuasive appraisal of the connection between art and politics.' - \u003cem\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e'A brief, pungent dispatch from the vibrant youth music scene pushing against authoritarian dictates in El Rashidi's country.... A vivid journalistic report.' - \u003cem\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eLaughter in the Dark\u003c\/em\u003e is a brilliantly composed portrait of Egypt's answer to hip-hop—and how it functions as a musical genre, economic engine, and cultural force amid the restrictions of an increasingly authoritarian regime. Meticulously reported and elegantly written, it's a must-read for any global citizen.' - Zack O'Malley Greenburg, author of \u003cem\u003eEmpire State of Mind: How Jay-Z Went From Street Corner to Corner Office\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47486393549036,"sku":"9798987053508","price":32.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/0093773e8603c5bc2200e6defdb652f5.jpg?v=1775779542","url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/products\/laughter-in-the-dark-by-yasmine-el-rashidi-9798987053508","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}