Omar Mouallem is an Arab-Canadian rapper from Edmonton who performs under the moniker A.O.K (Assault Of Knowledge). Born to Lebanese parents in the small Alberta town of High Prairie, Mouallem raised the funds to record his debut album by writing a book about cats. His witty, entertaining CD, If You Don’t Buy This CD The Terrorists Win, is available to download from www.emusic.com.
Book The Fountainhead
by Ayn Rand
Whenever I feel like I’ve gone too far, or my music has become too obscure, I recall the character Howard Roark in The Fountainhead. Roark’s unusual architecture was criticised but resonated with people, while his counterparts’ buildings camouflaged into homogenous skylines, and were not to be remembered. Like her main protagonist in this story, Ayn Rand was a champion of individuality.
Film The White Balloon
by Jafar Panahi
The White Balloon is an Iranian film renowned for its simplicity. It’s a feature-length movie about a little girl trying to buy a goldfish and the strangers – and the obstacles they pose – she meets along the way. The movie’s sense of minimalism reminds me that all the drama and conflict you need for a story is here in our day-today lives. Panahi is definitely one of my favourite filmmakers.
CD Shadows on the Sun
by Brother Ali
Brother Ali is a Muslim albino rapper from Minneapolis, so he’s doubly alienated. It’s inspiring to hear how he copes with adversity, yet still has plenty of that spirited bravado all rappers thrive on. He’s very funny and incredibly charismatic, even when reflecting on disturbing events from his past. This spectacular debut album was like a warm, friendly shake with a callused hand.
Omar Mouallem is an Arab-Canadian rapper from Edmonton who performs under the moniker A.O.K (Assault Of Knowledge). Born to Lebanese parents in the small Alberta town of High Prairie, Mouallem raised the funds to record his debut album by writing a book about cats. His witty, entertaining CD, If You Don’t Buy This CD The Terrorists Win, is available to download from 
Whenever I feel like I’ve gone too far, or my music has become too obscure, I recall the character Howard Roark in The Fountainhead. Roark’s unusual architecture was criticised but resonated with people, while his counterparts’ buildings camouflaged into homogenous skylines, and were not to be remembered. Like her main protagonist in this story, Ayn Rand was a champion of individuality.
The White Balloon is an Iranian film renowned for its simplicity. It’s a feature-length movie about a little girl trying to buy a goldfish and the strangers – and the obstacles they pose – she meets along the way. The movie’s sense of minimalism reminds me that all the drama and conflict you need for a story is here in our day-today lives. Panahi is definitely one of my favourite filmmakers.
Brother Ali is a Muslim albino rapper from Minneapolis, so he’s doubly alienated. It’s inspiring to hear how he copes with adversity, yet still has plenty of that spirited bravado all rappers thrive on. He’s very funny and incredibly charismatic, even when reflecting on disturbing events from his past. This spectacular debut album was like a warm, friendly shake with a callused hand.