Iraqi Hip-Hop Group Performs Show in Dearborn as Part of U.S. Tour

Hip-Hop diplomacy comes to Dearborn on Sunday as six members of the First Step Crew perform at the Arab American National Museum.

The First Step Crew, comprised of dancers and rappers from Baghdad, Basra, Erbil and Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, will perform from 3 to 5 p.m. at the museum.

The group of six dancers was chosen from more than 50 performers who auditioned over the summer as part of the YES Academy Iraq, a program of American Voices in partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

YES Academy is a comprehensive performing arts program for aspiring young musicians, actors and dancers in Iraq, Lebanon, Sudan, Malaysia and Thailand.

Since 2007, American Voices has offered training in hip hop. The First Step Crew, representing the breadth and width of Iraqi geography, cultures, languages and confessional groups, gives U.S. audiences an opportunity to get to know Iraq’s new generation of hip hop activists.

"These men are hopeful and dynamic; they have a compelling story to tell of perseverance, determination and the belief that Hip Hop can stimulate dialog and peaceful co-existence among Iraq’s youth," said John Ferguson, executive director of American Voices.

For more information about the performance, call the Arab American National Museum at 313-582-2266.