By Paola Handal Michael

No one, not even the event’s organizers, could have imagined that Clotaire K's concert would have caused such a stir that it did. On Saturday, February 21, at 7:00 in the evening, Clotaire K was scheduled to perform. The French Cultural Center was brining in a rap singer of Lebanese and Egyptian origin. The Bethlehem area had never had such an event. It is safe to say it was the first time for many to have attended a hip hop concert let alone a rap one.

The auditorium was full and people were standing even at the back of the room. There were not enough chairs. At first, the audience was silent and quiet. As the DJ scratched Fayrouz and Umm Koulthum on his turntables bathed in heavy smoke, the rest of the band exploded onstage one by one bounded across with oomph throughout, something they would continue the entire show. There were tons of blank faces. At this moment people were really trying to understand where this show was going. There were some stunned faces in the audience trying to figure out what was happening on stage and wondering if they should of come or not. Even after the first few songs Clotaire commented that the Bethlehem audience seemed like they were sleeping.

The state of lethargy didn’t last long. The band continued with mix of French and Arabic rap-heavy lyrics. Together, the duo's voices act as point-counterpoint, giving Clotaire K a dynamic appeal. By the fourth song, a few teenagers in the audience got up and started moving to the rhythm of the show. It seemed what they were doing was contagious. By the middle of the show people started loosening up and the audience which consisted of mostly teenagers started moving and dancing. With the help of the oud Clotaire stirred up the crowd even more.

At times the audience benefited from the evening as both Clotaire and his other rapper climbed toward the audience at the edge of the stage and encouraged participation from the young adolescents who were itching to take part. Little children danced onstage while one young man came on to do a rap improvisation which is difficult to do.

That might be the secret to Clotaire’s success, making music that's different and stirring, lacing it with enough hip hop that a wide teen audience finds appealing. The group managed to mix in enough hip hop, heavy rapping, oriental instruments and melodic pop sensibility into their songs to grab a wide-range of listeners. And it had a stage show that showcased its youthful exuberance and energy. The band paced the show with a program of intensity followed by release. The overall effect was exciting and most definitely electrifying. That was the case with the audience at the International Center of Bethlehem. They went home exhausted, sweaty and satisfied.