The project Hessa6 (حصة سادسة) is “dedicated to unlocking the power of art to bring about social change through a range of activities that include researching, archiving, producing and promoting Libyan art.” With support from the Arab Fund for Culture and Arts, Hessa6 has released a new album entitled دسكة غير مستوردة “Unimported Disc” (click here to listen on Spotify). Described as “an electrifying musical project that brings together an eclectic mix of artists, rappers, and bands from across Libya”, the new album presents diverse, homegrown sounds in multiple genres, with lyrics in Arabic and Amazigh varieties, and incredible cover art for the album and for each track by Moneer Alwerfally.

The tracks and their descriptions as provided by Hessa6 on their Instagram page are below:

Track 1: The band Atwillul opens the mixtape with the Amazigh-language song “Ayat Anmalaym”, which calls for understanding and love among members of the same community while preserving the Amazigh cultural identity. The song emphasizes collective work to build a life filled with hope and joy.

Track 2: In this skit entitled “I love Art, but”, Mad Beat and Bel Mid At present a creative vision that sheds light on the artist’s internal struggle and anxieties. The work captures the artist’s relentless attempts and repeated falls, ultimately highlighting the triumph of art for its own sake.

Track 3: The song “Fire” by Fulan narrates a personal journey of resistance amidst chaos, expressing the determination to confront challenges and obstacles head-on. The track delivers a powerful message of holding on to truth and hope, even when feeling alienated within society.

Track 4: This song, “The Day before Yesterday” by Moho, presents a profound human experience, where one navigates through a phase of doubt and fear, ultimately realizing that the key lies in confronting challenges to achieve their dreams.

Track 5: The track “They didn’t hear you crying” by the artist Wave is a call to keep moving forward despite all losses and pressures, with the belief that rising after a fall is what truly builds strength.

Track 6: The Tuareg-language song “Imidoun” by the band “Afnar Ténéré” speaks about the transformations in human by human relationships and the challenges that friends may face. It emphasizes not comparing people based on their social status and highlights the importance of true friendship that transcends disagreements and endures through difficult circumstances.

Track 7: The track “Bedtime Story” by Fawz al-Ghazali ft. DOPE conveys the reality of what happened the city of Derna, embodying the pain of separation and longing for the beautiful times that have passed. It raises questions about how to face these emotions, offering solace with the hope that the future will be better.

Track 8: The song “Resist – Libya’s Dream” by artist Munna El Sherif embodies the spirit of the Libyan dream. The song expresses pride in Libyan identity and resilience in the face of challenges. It carries a message of hope and determination to hold onto dreams despite hardships and losses, reflecting the aspirations of the Libyan people for a brighter future.