Poetic Pilgrimage is a female Hip Hop and Spoken Word duo who express the world as they see it through the art of rhyme.
They are a rare act, being one of the few Muslim female outfits around and they bring a refreshing perspective to issues of identity, global politics and women’s issues inspired by their faith and legacy of their ancestors.
Born in Bristol to Jamaican parents they have been performing together as Poetic Pilgrimage for over 10 years creating music that fuses their love of Hip Hop with their Caribbean roots intertwined with their love of Jazz, World Music, Electro Soul and more, providing a colorful landscape to their words.
They are also profound Spoken Word artists, so at times they require no backdrop at all to share their powerful messages of peace, unity, and freedom. The world has much to learn from the lyrics of these two women.
Poetic Pilgrimage has performed across the UK, US and Europe as well as South Africa and Morocco. They have shared stages with Talib Kweli, K-naan, Brother Ali, Bahamadia, Mutabaruka, Mr. Lif and more.
Poetic Pilgrimage are also workshop facilitators and value the ability to teach Poetry and Hip Hop to a younger generation with the aim of being able to enable them to change their realities.
These unlikely MCs who sport Adidas jackets, long flowing skirts, hi-top trainers and an Islamic head dress at first glance appear to be the antithesis of women in Hip Hop, but their music, like their presence is a portrait of resistance which is, in essence, the core of Hip Hop.
Being anomalies in the music industry would cause many to fall back, instead, these girls work hard to challenge stereotypes, redefine what’s cool and bring back the feel good vibe to Hip Hop whilst maintaining the message in the music.
Born and raised in Bristol to Jamaican migrant parents, Muneera Rashida and Sukina Abdul Noor embraced Islam 3 weeks before the 7/7 bombings in London. They went from being ordinary British girls to being seen as the ‘other’ in an increasingly hostile Islamophobic environment. Their distinctive perspective therefore, has made them relevant artists reflecting the multi-cultural melting pot that is 21st century Britain.
They have been spreading their words and music to audiences across the European, American and African continents touching minds and hearts with their unique interpretation of Hip Hop culture to much acclaim and have been featured on national television in Sweden, Norway, Germany as well as in the UK.
In 2008 they were the support act for Talib Kweli in Norway, they toured in the USA for six weeks in 2009 starting at the SXSW Festival where they were the only British act at the official Hip Hop night that featured Brother Ali, Zion I, Mr Lif, Invincible and more.
They were the first UK act to perform at the esteemed Trinity International Hip Hop Festival in Connecticut that was headlined by K’naan.
During the spring of this year, they headlined at an all female Hip Hop festival in Greece alongside Bahamadia.
They also headlined an African Music Festival in Austria and a Carnival of Culture in Berlin. They are frequent performers in Norway, Sweden and Denmark and their last Swedish tour was witnessed by Rhymesayers Rapper Brother Ali who was so impressed he asked them to join him on his set.
In addition, they frequently perform within the UK, from World Music festivals in Hyde Park to Hip Hop events raising awareness of the conflict in Palestine. Their versatility as artists is reflected in their eclectic performance resume.
Their performances are lively, honest and engaging. They take the audience on a journey that begins with curiosity and ends with unity, incorporating the Hip Hop elements of call and response, encouraging the audience to be more than mere spectators but participants.
Their stage presence is dynamic, filling the space with incredible music, powerful words, challenging issues, humour and charm. One of their performances in South Africa saw every single member of the audience not leaving the venue without getting a hug from these inspiring young women. I guarantee you have never seen a group rock the mic quite like them.
Their music and poetry tells a tale of freedom, a search for justice, a desire for peace and a love for the art form of Hip Hop – With the spiritual mysticism of Alice Coltrane fused with a 90s Hip Hop sound reminiscent of A Tribe Called Quest, and the passion of roots reggae music. These girls are more than a group they are a movement destined to send shockwaves through the industry.
Supported by Amal – A Said Foundation Project