Sign up now for Roisin O'Connor's free weekly newsletter to get the inside scoop on all things music
Get our Hear This Now email for free
An Israeli rap duo has called for the deaths of Dua Lipa, Bella Hadid and Mia Khalifa in a song that shot to the top of the charts in Israel.
The drill song, which artists Ness and Stilla said they recorded as a “war anthem,” has divided the country over its support for military action in Gaza following the October 7 Hamas attacks.
Since its release on November 14 last year, it has garnered over 18 million views on YouTube.
“Harbu Darbu” means “to rain hell on the enemy” in Hebrew slang and is originally derived from the Arabic words for “chaos” and “war blow”.
According to the artists, the song is intended to be a patriotic anthem to boost morale.
Raising their middle finger, the rappers call on the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to attack singer Dua Lipa, supermodel Bella Hadid and former adult content creator Mia Khalifa.
The song calls on the IDF to “rain a storm” and attack a list of people, including women, all of whom have previously supported the Palestinian cause or called for a ceasefire.
Nessya Levi (Ness), 21, one half of the duo, celebrates Israeli airstrikes on Gaza and says: “Get your ass ready because here comes the air force.” You can feel the tremors all the way to Tel Aviv.”
Dua Lipa, Bella Hadid and Mia Khalifa are all called out to be killed by the IDF in the song
(Getty Images)
Meanwhile, 25-year-old Dor Soroker (Stillah) refers to the “sons of Amalek,” a controversial biblical allusion also made by President Benjamin Netanyahu that could be considered “plausibly” genocidal in intent, according to the International Court of Justice ruling .
Soroker has defended the text and says he received death threats as a result.
“They portrayed us as a bunch of Jewish fascists who want to kill Arabs,” he said in an interview with Ynet. “We represent the country and this song boosts morale, so we take the threats. It's worth it.”
Ness and Stilla's war anthem has shot to the top of the charts in Israel
(Ness and Stilla (YouTube))
The song's lyrics also feature Iran's Hassan Nasrallah and Mohammed Deif, the leader of Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades. Additionally, “Abu Baklawa” appears to contain a racist reference to Palestinians and Arabic names that refer to the Middle Eastern desert.
Enjoy unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
Sign up now for a 30-day free trial
Log in
Enjoy unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
Sign up now for a 30-day free trial
Log in
The full reference is as follows:
“All IDF units are coming to turn Harbu Darbu upside down.
“Another 'X' on the gun (because every dog gets what's coming to him)
“Wait until we let it fall on you like rain. Everyone who planned, supported, executed, murdered. You're in trouble. You hear?
“Nasrallah. Mohammed Deif. Haniyeh. Abu Baklawa. Bella Hadid. Dua Lipa. Mia Khalifa.
“Every dog will get what’s coming to him.
“All IDF units are ready to bring war and pain to your mind.”
The Independent has reached out to representatives for Ness and Stilla, Mia Khalifa, Bella Hadid and Dua Lipa.