This article is about the rap artist. For the music instrument, see Saz (disambiguation).
Sameh Zakout (Arabic: سامح زقوت), ("SAZ", born 1987) is a Palestinian rapper from Ramla, Israel.[1] His music features themes of Palestinian and Arab identity and calls for peaceful resolution of Arab–Israeli conflict. He was the subject of the 2006 documentary Saz: The Palestinian Rapper for Change.[2][3]
Zakout gained attention and popularity as a contestant on the Israeli reality singing competition, "Chai be La La Land" in 2012.[4][5]
Acting work
Zakout's first acting role was as Amir in the 2016 film Junction 48, directed by Udi Aloni.[6][7] In 2018, Zakout played Hummus Guy #1 in Sameh Zoabi's Tel Aviv on Fire.[6][8]
DUGRI and "Let's talk straight"
In 2021, Zakout collaborated with Israeli rapper Uriya Rosenman to create the video "Let's talk straight | בוא נדבר דוגרי | تعال نحكي دغري".[9] The video went viral during Israel's 2021 bombardment of Gaza. Zakout and Rosenman now tour as the duo DUGRI.[10] Translated into English from Arabic, the word DUGRI means 'straight', connoting 'straight-talking'.[11] After their first single went viral, the duo were featured by news outlets including CNN, the BBC and The New York Times.[12][13][14] The duo posted a second single, 'Munfas', to YouTube in November 2021.[15]
