Checkpoint 303
Non-profit musical collective from the Arabic underground electronica scene.
Checkpoint 303 is a non-profit musical collective rooted in the emerging Arabic and Middle-Eastern underground electronica scene. The activist project was founded in 2004 by Tunisian artist SC MoCha and Palestinian artist SC Yosh, and it has carved out an avant-garde place within the Arabic underground music world. Its non-commercial nature is essential, granting the group creative freedom and the ability to express activist viewpoints. The music draws inspiration from the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict and the hardship it inflicts on civilians across the region.
The collective’s name comes from Bethlehem’s Checkpoint 300, one of many Israeli checkpoints that restrict movement between Palestinian areas and Israel. One of the founding members lives in Bethlehem and records field sounds there.
Musically, Checkpoint 303 blends electronica and experimental styles with touches of oriental melodies. Their tracks combine field recordings, audio samples, oud, and keyboards, all woven into electronic beats that range from downtempo and drum’n’bass to breakbeats and minimal techno. Contributors from around the world include Cheikh Julian, Ms K SuShi, MonaLisa, Noise Generator SoM, Melski, and Damski.
The debut album, *Checkpoint Tunes*, came out at the end of 2007, and the group also releases its work under a Creative Commons license. Live performances often include DJ sets; for instance, they opened for Massive Attack during a series of benefit concerts at the Carling Academy in the UK in February 2007.
In December 2006, *Le Monde Diplomatique* mentioned Checkpoint 303 alongside Palestinian artists like Kamilya Jubran, Le Trio Joubran, and the hip-hop group DAM. In April 2007, *Le Monde* covered their music and activism, and in May 2007, *Mag125* interviewed them. The *Independent* reviewed their opening act for Massive Attack in Birmingham in February 2007, while Canada’s *La Presse* discussed their concept and music, as did the pro-Palestine site *Electronic Intifada*.
On radio, they were featured on France Inter’s *Et pourtant ça tourne* in April 2007.
- Formed
- 2004
- Field
- Electronica, experimental music, activist music
- Nationality
- Tunisian and Palestinian
- Known for
- Non-profit musical collective blending field recordings, oud, and electronic beats; debut album Checkpoint Tunes (2007); opening for Massive Attack in 2007
Lore & Background
The name Checkpoint 303 was inspired by the Bethlehem Checkpoint 300, one of numerous Israeli checkpoints restricting passage between Palestinian self-controlled areas and Israel. A co-founding member lives and performs field recordings in Bethlehem. The collective's arrangements are grounded in electronica and experimental music with oriental tunes, blending field recordings, audio samples, oud, and keys into loops of electronic beats ranging from downtempo, drum'n'bass to breakbeats and minimal techno. Contributors include Cheikh Julian, Ms K SuShi, MonaLisa, Noise Generator SoM, Melski, and Damski.
The collective's debut album Checkpoint Tunes was released by the end of 2007, and compositions are made available under a Creative Commons License. Live performances include DJ sets, such as supporting Massive Attack in a series of benefit concerts at the Carling Academy in the UK in February 2007. In December 2006, Le Monde Diplomatique cited Checkpoint 303 alongside Palestinian artists Kamilya Jubran, Le Trio Joubran, and DAM. In April 2007, Le Monde published an article on their music and activism, and in May 2007 they were interviewed by Mag125 magazine.
In February 2007, The Independent reviewed the Massive Attack show in Birmingham and commented on Checkpoint 303's opening act. La Presse discussed their concept and music, and Electronic Intifada discussed the collective's performance. In April 2007, they were presented on France Inter's radio show Et pourtant ça tourne. Their songs have aired on numerous FM and online stations, including RDU-FM in New Zealand, The Peace Train 1610AM in Arkansas, Radio Pimienta in Tenerife, RCT 99.3 FM in Lyon, CHYZ 94.3 FM in Quebec, and Jawhara FM in Sousse, Tunisia.
Reader's Guide
Checkpoint 303 occupies a distinctive position in the Arabic underground music scene as a non-profit, activist collective that prioritizes creative freedom and political expression over commercial gain. Their music directly engages with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, using field recordings from Bethlehem and electronic compositions to convey the suffering of civilian populations. The collective's debut album Checkpoint Tunes (2007) and their opening for Massive Attack in 2007 brought them international attention, while coverage in Le Monde Diplomatique, Le Monde, and The Independent highlighted their role in Palestinian cultural activism. Their use of Creative Commons licensing reflects a commitment to accessibility and non-commercial distribution. The collective's blend of traditional oriental instruments like the oud with electronic genres such as drum'n'bass and minimal techno exemplifies the fusion of local and global influences in the emerging Middle-Eastern underground scene. Their radio presence across diverse stations—from New Zealand student radio to community stations in Europe and private stations in Tunisia—demonstrates their broad appeal and the transnational reach of their activist message. Checkpoint 303's significance lies in their ability to merge avant-garde music with political commentary, offering a model for artist-activists in conflict zones.
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