Loading ...Rewriting the Music Playbook: Harget Kart’s Art of Fusion
By: Yara Marei / Arab America Contributing Writer
Imagine a band that takes the ordinary, lights it on fire, and from the ashes creates something extraordinary. This is Harget Kart—a name that, in the Arabic Jordanian dialect, means “to burn a photo card.” Just as their name suggests, Harget Kart has set the conventional boundaries of music ablaze, rejecting the tired formula of copying and pasting songs, rhymes, and genres. Instead, they’ve crafted an entirely new image of what music can be, blending Arabic in all its rich dialects with English and the classical Fusha Arabic found in Andalusian poetry. This band doesn’t just play music; they ignite it, creating a sound as diverse and vibrant as the cultures it represents.
Background on Harget Kart
Harget Kart is a Jordanian band renowned for its unique fusion of pop, jazz, and even some rap blended with Arabic, English, and Spanish songs and Andalusian poetry. Since its inception in 2015, it has carved out a niche by introducing a new music genre called “Alternative Music,” which stands out from traditional music genres to introduce a new, distinct musical composition.
Reviving Andalusian Poetry
One of the band’s most remarkable contributions is their focus on Andalusian poetry, which dates back to the golden era of Arab and Islamic culture in Andalusia. This approach is significant because it reconnects modern youth with the rich poetic heritage that has been somewhat forgotten. Their 2015 release, “Arabeion Ana” (“I’m Arab”), is a testament to this, as it showcases pride in Arab identity through powerful poetry. Despite the contemporary trend favoring simple, easy-to-understand lyrics, Harget Kart’s use of poetry requires deeper reflection, offering listeners new meanings with each listen.
Inclusivity Through Musical Diversity
Harget Kart’s music is a celebration of Arab unity and inclusivity. They blend Arabic dialects from various regions, including Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Iraq, and Tunisia, with English songs that carry profound meanings. This inclusivity is further highlighted by their ability to merge different cultural elements. For example, their mashup of Wiz Khalifa’s “See You Again” (from the Fast and Furious soundtrack) with Amr Diab’s songs showcases their talent for bridging the gap between global pop culture and Arabic music. Another standout is their mashup of John Legend’s “All of Me” with Fairuz’s songs and bridal poetry, which makes it the first option for wedding slow dance, especially for Arab Westerners. They created this masterpiece in video call mode! This innovative approach highlights their technical skills and ability to blend Western and Arab influences seamlessly. And inclusivity is not only for Arabs and Westerners but also for Turkish in their song “Ba’ed Ellayali” and Spanish again in their Wiz Khalifa mash-up of “See you again” with Enrique Iglesias “Bailando.”
Support Through Music and New Releases
During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, Harget Kart demonstrated its commitment to its audience by producing music remotely via video calls. Their most recent works, mainly three new songs about Palestine, highlight the deep connection to Palestine, emphasizing the historical and genetic ties between Jordan and Palestine, and reinforcing the people’s shared identity. One of these songs, “Weshah Al-Ezz” (“The Scarf of Pride”), reflects the traditional Palestinian kuffiyeh and symbolizes the unity between Jordan and Palestine. It also pays homage to the conventional Tarweedah style of singing, reminding listeners of the deep-rooted cultural ties between the two nations.
We Love Life!
Harget Kart continues to push the boundaries of music, using its platform to unite people, preserve cultural heritage, and advocate for critical arab feelings and issues. Their music is not just entertainment but a powerful tool for education, reflection, and social change. And great power of love and art.
I will leave you with the masterpiece. Check out our blog here!
