Fawzi & Touch Denounce the Reality of the Music Industry on ‘Helsinki’

Palestinian rap collective BLTNM has cemented its reputation as the engine of the most innovative and culturally resonant sound currently emerging from the regional rap scene. Their latest offering, ‘Helsinki’, sees two promising rappers, Fawzi and Touch, link up with producer Smokaholic to deliver a track that is as cold and calculated as its title suggests.

The track’s ominous production layers minor-key synth-heavy melodies that evoke a sense of detachment, perfectly fitting the cold capital of Finland referenced in the title. The dark atmospheric chill of the track is immediately set by a vocal sample at the start, welcoming the listener to Helsinki. Beneath the classic hard-hitting trap rhythm, Touch and Fawzi trade socially conscious bars that rebuke the transactional reality of the rap game nowadays.

Through clever wordplay, commanding flows and blunt delivery, the pair dismiss external validation and societal expectations, conveying a sense of harsh realism and emotional detachment necessary for their survival as artists in such a complex environment.

‘Helsinki’ not only highlights Touch and Fawzi as two promising young rappers to keep an eye out for, but it also offers another definitive showcase of BLTNM’s signature sound, demonstrating their active role in shaping the sound of modern Arab hip-hop.