SHI 360 is anything but your typical hip hop artist. Spreading unity and tolerance through his music and tours worldwide, the Israeli recording artist and producer has set himself apart as a compelling voice unafraid to challenge the mainstream media's oftentimes distorted messages. Going by the credo "Don't be afraid to think," SHI 360 combines deft rhymes and fresh, genre-shifting beats with bold social and political messages. His newest single "Forgive and Forget," off the upcoming album Shalom Haters, arrives on the global hip hop scene at a time when the media has been astoundingly silent in response to recent rocket attacks on Israeli civilians. The song is a desperate plea for truth in media reporting as well as a cry to stop the seemingly endless violence in the Middle East.
"Forgive and Forget" reaffirms both sides' shared human suffering, acknowledging "I see your pain/I know you see my pain" and urges people to rise up against media-perpetuated lies. SHI 360's hard-hitting lyrics are balanced by a piano-driven beat and a melodic bridge sung by Harte, a female vocalist who has previously collaborated with Killah Priest from Wu-Tang Clan. In her soulful, attention-grabbing voice, Harte drives SHI 360's message home as she sings "I don't want no struggles/I don't want no lies/Don't wanna go through hell/Just to get to paradise."
lyrics
Are we still resisting? Are we still fighting? Still struggling for our independence? Still defending our home?
We forgive and forget before tears are even dry,
We let it slide, when it goes against our pride.
They kill themselves to kill us and innocents have died.
I want to close my eyes, but the third is open wide.
It's an image of hate, burnt tires and barb wire.
Innocents in the crossfire forced to retire.
How do you think the cameraman is close to the fire?
The work is for hire. Showing what they want to inspire.
I'm sowing seeds of love, but my crop fields hate.
I got no tears for fears, my thought relates.
Now my image victimized in the media's eyes.
Controlled by the new world, yeah, divide and organize.
They keep on saying we're on the wrong side of the fence,
Won't quite til nobody's left on our defense
F** that; we did it before, we'll do it again.
We're survivors, no matter how you try to explain.
But for real, why you gotta get your children involved, huh?
Your 10 year-old, should play with toys and not a revolver.
Cowards hide behind their kids is f**** up son!
5 or 10 g's will never worth the life of my son.
We forgive and forget before tears are even dry,
We let it slide, when it goes against our pride.
They kill themselves to kill us and innocents have died.
I want to close my eyes, but the third is open wide.
Who's the oppressor? Please; you're a 100 to 1.
Don't ever give me that shit about you not owning a gun.
From day one you preached the meaning of death.
Sacrifice your family just to finish my breath.
Still fanatics with the static, f**** addicts to the automatics,
Shots sporadic; saying holy war is not barbaric.
What's the difference? Premeditated and intentional.
You're gonna play my congregation as irrational?
All around the world the face of hate is out the closet.
They burn our synagogues and you do nothing about it.
In the capital they're burning flags and you just watched.
Probably wanna go and start another kristalnacht.
Oh no! We ain't having that, it won't happen.
If it's up to us there wouldn't be no guns clapping.
I see violence increase - through it all, I'm still for peace.
But touch my niece? I swear I'll leave them all deceased.
But for real, why you gotta get the children involved, huh?
Your 10 year-old, should play with toys and not a revolver.
Cowards hide behind their kids is f**** up son!
5 or 10 g's will never worth the life of my son. (Never!)
Bridge:
We are still resisting, trying to survive. All this pain of living is killing me inside. I don't want no struggles. I don't want no lies.
Don't wanna go through hell just to get to paradise.
We forgive and forget before tears are even dry,
We let it slide, when it goes against our pride.
They kill themselves to kill us and innocents have died.
I want to close my eyes, but the third is open wide.
I don't wanna cry no more. We're still resisting. We're still trying to survive. Too many mothers crying. A whole nation dying.I see your pain, I know you see my pain.
I been here forever I never left. They tell me to go back home...I never left! I gotta fight for my independence? I gotta fight to prove that this is my home? I gotta fight for my right to be here? Come on man, the media is feeding you and feeding you and feeding you.Don't be blind man.Let's give back the power to the people.
Extend our hands out and put our arms down.
SHI 360 is a Canadian rapper, producer and performer.
Raised by North-African parents in the complex reality of
Israel.
This Israeli Canadian Hip Hop artist spreads unity and awareness through his music and tours worldwide. Collaborating with global artists from different backgrounds, his music bridges the gap between different cultures....more
Two brothers tell their true coming-of-age story together through hip-hop bangers that draw from a wide array of pop influences. Bandcamp New & Notable Sep 20, 2017
