Lowkey’s ‘Soundtrack to the Struggle 3’ Live at the Jazz Café: A Night of Unity, Resistance, and Unwavering Solidarity
In a sold-out series of performances at London’s iconic Jazz Café, Lowkey delivered an unforgettable live rendition of his latest album, Soundtrack to the Struggle 3. The atmosphere was electric as fans from all walks of life gathered in a shared sense of purpose, united by their love for music and their support for the freedom of Palestine. The night exemplified the power of hip-hop to transcend boundaries, bringing together retired activists, first-time concertgoers, and families spanning generations.
As DJ Karim Mussilhy declared, “Tonight, we are all family,” the crowd stood as a testament to the sentiment—resistance and solidarity truly know no bounds.
A Setlist for the Soul
Lowkey’s performance was a masterful blend of past hits and tracks from his new album. He transported fans back to his roots with songs like “Who Said I Can’t Do Grime,” showcasing his versatility and lyrical prowess, and “Alphabet Assassin,” a fan favorite where he deftly raps through the alphabet. The night also delved deep into his more political and introspective repertoire, with tracks like “Terrorist” and the newly released “Intifada” striking a powerful chord with the audience.
“Terrorist,” with its defiant chorus, exemplified the failure of censorship attempts by the Israel lobby, as the crowd chanted in unison. Lowkey’s explanation of “Intifada” revealed his commitment to reclaiming language as a form of resistance, weaving narratives of struggle and resilience into a captivating performance.
The emotional depth of tracks like “Baby Steps,” a celebration of the bond between father and child, and “Genocide Joe,” a chilling critique of President Joe Biden’s complicity in global atrocities, underscored the album’s ability to juxtapose melodic beauty with brutal truths. “Vietnam” bridged historical and contemporary resistance, drawing parallels between past struggles and present-day colonization, with the striking refrain, “All my heroes fought colonizers.”
A Voice for the Voiceless
One of the most poignant moments came during the performance of “No War,” a transatlantic collaboration with Styles P of The Lox. The track offered a rare anti-war narrative, standing in stark contrast to the glorification of violence often found in mainstream media.
The emotional centerpiece of the album—and the performance—was its closing moments, which featured a sample from Dr. Reefat Alareer’s final livestream before his tragic death in Gaza. The inclusion of Dr. Alareer’s words was a stark reminder of the human cost of war and oppression, sending chills through the audience as they stood in silent reverence.
Uniting Art and Activism
Lowkey’s performance wasn’t just a concert—it was a rallying cry for justice. Tracks like “Two Kites,” featuring Mai Khalil, explored themes of love and resilience amidst oppression, humanizing the struggles of Palestinians in a way that resonated deeply with the crowd.
Karim Mussilhy’s heartfelt skit about the lack of justice following the Grenfell Tower fire brought another layer of emotional weight to the evening, as he shared his personal loss and the community’s ongoing fight for accountability.
