Despite Jowan Safadi’s (b. 1973) longstanding relationship with music, Palestinian cultural circles have only recently began to recognize the artist, who just released his first solo album, Namroud (Troublemaker).
His relocation to Bir al-Sabah (Beersheba) — where he set up the alternative rock band Lenzez with anti-Zionist Israeli musicians — was enough to keep this son of Nazareth in the shadows for some time.
“I never felt like my colleagues in the band were Israelis; they were leftists, and possessed a high level of political awareness. They refused to serve in the military and abhorred the occupation establishment,” Jowan told Al-Akhbar.
He released three albums in 10 years with Lenzez, before some political parties in Israel began marketing the band as a model for “coexistence,” as a PR stunt in international art and media forums.
At the time — around the bloody Israeli invasion of Jenin — Jowan decided to step up his political songs, which gave the band an “extremist” reputation among Israelis.
“It was the beginning of an awakening that helped me re-establish reality in my head, especially with my increasing political awareness,” Jowan explained.
For this reason, he left Bir al-Sabah for Haifa, where he established a new band with Palestinian artists.
While participating in a street festival in Haifa, his performance was stopped midway through because of the songs being too “controversial, as they shed light on racism, refugee conditions, and political prisoners, and is also hard for the Jewish audience,” according to what Haifa municipal officials told him.
He released three albums in 10 years with Lenzez, before some political parties in Israel began marketing the band as a model for “coexistence.”
An investigation into the matter was opened by right-wing Knesset member Aryeh Eldad, accusing Jowan of “inciting violence and terrorism,” only to be closed two months later for lack of evidence.
Jowan chose to play the guitar because it is “strong, expressive, has multiple potentials, and is the most suitable for the type of singing and music I offer,” he said.
He didn’t pick western music on purpose. “It was only a step I took without thinking,” he remarked.
Namroud rebels against reality and ready-made molds.
The idea for the album began with a sentence Jowan wrote on his Facebook page, “I think, therefore I rebel.”
He began by writing songs on “normal” daily life and social issues, describing love, country, religion, faith, sex, joy, and pain, approaching the issues with satire.
Many concerns surround the daring young musician, “but I will not allow them to impede my journey and prevent me from saying what I believe,” he insisted.
Sometimes, he feels “like he’s yelling ‘the king has no clothes on,’ expecting a slap from the entourage.”
Jowan Safadi has received many threats and frequent insults, but maintains that he will continue his journey, breaking all barriers and taboos.
إجمد
Jowan Safadi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
مش بالعكس. احترام للنفس
ما بلزق باللي بخون غير الضعيف يا مجنون
وقت الدعس، مش وقت اللحس
إجمد إجمد يا حساس
الخزانة ملانة كياس
كل كيس نفس الطعاريس
مع عالم نايكها الفلاس
بدو كنس، من بنت العرص
ما بلزق باللي بخون غير الضعيف يا ممحون
وقت الدعس ولا مش وقت اللحس
إجمد إجمد يا حساس
الخزانة ملانة كياس
كل كيس نفس الطعاريس
مع عالم نايكها الفلاس
كان من لازم من أول تدير ضهرك وتضل ماشي
ترجعش تطلع لورا أصلا.
ما كنش لازم توصل لهاد المحل
قد ما تكبر مرات بتضل ولد زغير مرات. يلا شد حالك
إجمد إجمد يا حساس
الخزانة ملانة كياس
كل كيس نفس الطعاريس
مع عالم نايكها الفلاس
In Jowan Safadi's song "إجمد," the lyrics portray a sense of self-respect and a refusal to be involved with those who betray or deceive. The opening lines say, "Those who protect you are the ones who love you, and those who betray you are cowards, not the opposite. It's about self-respect. I won't stick with those who betray, only the weak-minded fools, crazy ones. It's a time for taking a stand, not a time for pleasing."
The chorus repeats the phrase "إجمد إجمد يا حساس," which can be translated as "Cool down, cool down, oh sensitive one." It seems to be a plea to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. The following line mentions a full closet of bags, where each bag carries the same deceitful content, possibly referring to a group of people or a social circle full of fake personalities. The mention of the brand Nike suggests a reference to a materialistic lifestyle that promotes shallowness.
The next verse talks about not tolerating lowliness and describes a tired heart filled with garbage. It mentions the need for cleaning and refers to someone as "بنت العرص," which is a derogatory term for a promiscuous woman. This line implies that the singer refuses to associate with anyone who behaves in a disloyal and weak manner, specifically during times of confrontation. It's a reminder that it's not the time for submission or compromise.
In the final paragraph, the lyrics emphasize the importance of not turning back and always moving forward. It suggests that it was unnecessary to reach a certain destination, possibly figuratively meaning not getting involved in unhealthy relationships or compromising one's values. The repetition of "إجمد إجمد يا حساس" reaffirms the need to remain composed and cool under pressure. The mention of a full closet of bags carrying the same content implies that experiences and encounters may be repetitive, with people showing similar patterns of behavior. The reference to Nike lifestyle suggests a shallow and materialistic world.
Line by Line Meaning
اللي بصونك حبه واللي بخونك كبه
Those who truly love you are devoted, while those who betray you are insignificant. Respect yourself.
مش بالعكس. احترام للنفس
It's not the other way around. Respect yourself.
ما بلزق باللي بخون غير الضعيف يا مجنون
I don't associate with weak-minded individuals who betray. You're crazy.
وقت الدعس، مش وقت اللحس
It's time for confrontation, not submission.
إجمد إجمد يا حساس
Cool down, cool down, you sensitive one.
الخزانة ملانة كياس
The closet is filled with masks.
كل كيس نفس الطعاريس
Every bag is filled with the same deceit.
مع عالم نايكها الفلاس
With a world that thrives on deception.
بتحملش السفالة، قلبي مليته زباله
I can't bear the filth, my heart is too tired of trash.
بدو كنس، من بنت العرص
It needs cleaning from the daughter of a prostitute.
ما بلزق باللي بخون غير الضعيف يا ممحون
I don't associate with weak-minded individuals who betray. You're horny.
وقت الدعس ولا مش وقت اللحس
It's time for confrontation, not submission.
كان من لازم من أول تدير ضهرك وتضل ماشي
It was necessary from the beginning to turn your back and keep walking.
ترجعش تطلع لورا أصلا.
Don't even think about turning back now.
ما كنش لازم توصل لهاد المحل
You didn't have to reach this point.
قد ما تكبر مرات بتضل ولد زغير مرات. يلا شد حالك
No matter how much you mature, sometimes you're still just a little boy. Come on, pull yourself together.
إجمد إجمد يا حساس
Cool down, cool down, you sensitive one.
الخزانة ملانة كياس
The closet is filled with masks.
كل كيس نفس الطعاريس
Every bag is filled with the same deceit.
مع عالم نايكها الفلاس
With a world that thrives on deception.
Contributed by Abigail D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Aaron Samuel
Love the haunting lyrics.. beautiful arrangements
The Synaptik
❤️
fatima ashour
رائع كالعادة ❤❤
Ashraf Daher
Great work man 👏
Street Reporter
عظيمممم 👏🏻
Anas Salim
Great job 👌👍👍👍
ali zedan
جوااااان 💪💪
amani odeh
الخزانه ملانه كياس 🙌❤
Psyka Zee
صدقني راح اجمد يلعن التعريص يلي براسي ، شكرا على هل تحفة.
شمس
جواااان🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥