REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – Does Native Deen ring a bell to you? Native Deen is an Islamic Nasheed Group from United States and the group plays music in the fusion of hip hop and R&B. Here, the drummer, Todd Snare, visited Republika on Monday. Yes, a good way to boost the mood on the start of week.
Snare finds similarities between hip hop music and Islam. Hip hop can be a voice for someone who wants to express their opinion. “Whatever they sing, people will listen. Hip hop is popular because it gives a chance for people to be heard,” Snare said.
Snare grew up in Brooklyn. As a child, he went to a public school. When he was around 22, he decided to take a music tour with his friend. “The tour was not as fun as I thought. It was full of temptation, like drugs and alcohol,” he said.
After graduating from college, lots of his friends became rich because of selling drugs. “They have no job but they have Mercedes Benz,” he said. He was tempted, but Islam changed him. He learned how to pray. “At first I thought I would not remember the pray,” he said.
His cousin was then married with Joshua Salaam, personnel of Native Deen. Snare was invited to join the group as a drummer. Native Deen uses only percussion instruments, such as drums. “Drums are the star of hip hop,” Snare said.
Many people, Muslim to non-Muslim, become their fans. However, many also criticize them. The video Stand Alone uploaded in You Tube is watched by almost four million people. There are also many comments. “Some comments say our music (Hip hop) is haram. But that is life, full of differences,” he said. In his opinion, hip hop is about expressing not cursing.
As a Muslim, he recalled how was he live as a Muslim in US. “I live in New York. It is a unique neighborhood,” Snare said. In New York, people from various origins blend well. In his neighborhood, he prays at the Masjid led by Imam Siraj Wahhaj, an African-American.
In his visit to Indonesia, Snare also promotes his book entitled ‘Kids can play hip hop drums’. He teaches kids how to play drum. “I made the book in colorful illustration so it attracts the children and at the same time teach them,” Snare explained. For him, Indonesia is peace in Islam. “The Indonesian love to music, it makes me love Indonesia,” he said.
Speaking about 2012 project, Snare said that Native Deen planned to promote the latest album from Native Deen, The Remedy. “I'm so glad to play with them and represent them,” he said. Snare will live at @america on Wednesday at four. Go and join there!
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