It Ain’t Where You From – A film by Philip Rachid

Intimate stories of the Gulf’s emerging Hip-Hop scene

Online screening followed by a live Q&A with Philip Rachid

Dubai-based filmmaker Philip Rachid presents an empowering cultural exploration of the Middle East’s underground Hip-Hop scene. Dance, spoken word, music, graphics, and street art collide to create this powerful film portrait of a thriving scene. You have to create your own path, that’s what you do when you’ve grown up without a family or a homeland, with a different vibe, and with a different tribe.

It Ain’t Where You From combines cutting-edge street fashion, a pulsating soundtrack, and rich vibrant colors to capture the melting pot that is the Gulf’s cities. Featuring the personal journeys that individual artist’s take, discover their struggles as they find their way; See this dynamic view on what it takes to follow your passion and how Hip-Hop gives voice to a third culture generation. It Ain’t Where You From by director and filmmaker, Philip Rachid, is an offshoot of The Main Circle: 7.83, an enthralling and empowering transmedia documentary performance that explores the perception of B-Boy culture across Middle Eastern cultures and traditions, commissioned by The Arts Center.

Participating artists include: Ihab Darwish (composer), Tac (rapper), BBoy Jazzy Tilla, BBoy Spiky, DustyDust (street artist), BGirl Lana, BBoy Feraz, Maajed Ahmed (graffiti artist), BBoy Amer, Frezidante (DJ), BBoy Nabil ElKhayer, Kriman (BBoy/artist), Ynot (artist) and Mohamed Araki (music composer).