Sameh Zakout

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][2] 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.^[3][4]

Sameh 'SAZ' Zakout
سامح زقوت
Born	1987 (age 37–38)
Nationality	Palestinian
Occupation(s)	Rapper and actor
Known for	DUGRI

Zakout gained attention and popularity as a contestant on the Israeli reality singing competition Chai be La La Land [he] in 2012.^[5][6][7]

Acting work

Zakout's first acting role was as Amir in the 2016 film Junction 48, directed by Udi Aloni.^[8][9] In 2018, Zakout played Hummus Guy #1 in Sameh Zoabi's Tel Aviv on Fire.^[8][10]

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".^[11] The video went viral during Israel's 2021 bombardment of Gaza. Zakout and Rosenman now tour as the duo Dugri.^[12] Translated into English, the word dugri means 'straight' and may refer to the type straight speech of Israeli sabras.^[13].^[14] After their first single went viral, the duo were featured by news outlets including CNN, the BBC and The New York Times.^[15][16][17] The duo posted a second single, 'Munfas', to YouTube in November 2021.^[18]