American Muslim hip hop group acts as ambassadors

Music is said to be a universal language that transcends all boundaries. And the US government is using it to try and change the world's perception of American society.

With the current negative image of the US in Muslim countries, there is no better time to introduce an American Muslim hip hop group to the world's most populous Muslim nation - Indonesia.

Music, America and Islam are the three elements which bring together members of the Remarkable Current. It is a reflection of an on-going attempt by American Muslims to synthesise their faith into existing culture, create an identity that is uniquely American and Muslim, and try to tell the world who they are.

The music and style of the group are unmistakably Western and no different from what one hears from other American hip hop groups.

But what sets Remarkable Current apart is the spirituality that the group has introduced into its songs. Chants from the Islamic traditions are often infused into their performances.

Anas Canon, founder of Remarkable Current, said: "Because our background, our primary focus is spirituality - it comes out in our music. But it's not a strategy, it's not a gimmick, it's not something we designed in order to have a certain effect."

It certainly hit the right note with students at an Islamic university campus in Jakarta.

Pratiwi, a university student, said: "I salute them for not being embarrassed to show their music and being Muslim."

Another student, Rezky, said: "Hip Hop music with Islamic flavour is good. I think it's positive, not negative. So there's music development - Islamic music in America. There's also mention of Allah's name - that's good."

Founded 10 years ago in California, Remarkable Current are hip hop ambassadors for the US government - touring Muslim majority countries around the world.

Erik Rico, a member of Remarkable Current, said: "Our mission is to be universal musical ambassadors - to unite people of all cultures, all ethnicities, all religious backgrounds.

"Our music speaks for itself. We want to carry a positive message onto the world and especially as it relates to the youth culture globally."

Judging from the reception given by the young Indonesian Muslims, Remarkable Current has certainly succeeded in some ways towards reducing the stereotype of America and Islam.