DJ Besho

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

• innovative
• heritage
• so be it
• going for

• late
• refuge
• torn
• conflict

• of all places
• integrate

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

The late German organist Albert Schweitzer said, “There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats.”

In Afghanistan, a country torn by war and hardship, one young man has found refuge and hope in hip hop music.

DJ Besho, a 28 year old rapper from Kurduz in northern Afghanistan, is using his music to promote peace and encourage the youth to study hard and stay away from drugs.

Listen to Dave and Taylor talk about DJ Besho.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Dave

Taylor

Dave:  So, there’s this new hip-hop artist coming out of Afghanistan of all places. Um, DJ Besho.

Taylor:  Wow. Does he, ah, integrate in any traditional Afghani music elements?

Dave:  He sounds pretty innovative, and it sounds like he’s doing something good…

Taylor:  Right.

Dave:  ...for his home country.

Taylor:  Right, definitely. You need people producing works of art so that you have an export of, you know, culture…

Dave:  Right.

Taylor:  ...and a new vision of heritage. And if it’s going to be an Afghanistan rapper, then, ah, so be it.

Dave:  Yeah.

Taylor:  So be it.

Dave:  It’ll be interesting to see how he can integrate a Western hip-hop form with traditional Afghan music. I don’t know if that’s what he’s going for, but his message in his lyrics is, he’s trying to promote national unity, trying to get kids to stay away from drugs, um, go to school.

Taylor:  Mm hm.

Dave:  So, he’s promoting a good message.

Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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