Some songs hit you because they’re catchy. Others because they’re clever. “I Am Not Afraid (Drums Remix)” hits you because it carries the voice of a child who has already seen too much.
Composer and pianist Niko Michalopoulos created this piece after seeing a video from Gaza that’s almost impossible to forget: a young boy, bleeding, alone, surrounded by chaos in a hospital. And yet, he kept repeating, “I am not afraid.” Anyone watching knows he must have been terrified, but somehow—through shock, instinct, courage—he said those words anyway. That moment became the emotional center of the song, and you can feel it in every part of the remix. The track blends Michalopoulos’ gentle, searching piano with OPWDubs’ drum-driven production, which adds an urgent heartbeat underneath. It never feels overpowering. Instead, the rhythm pushes the song forward, like the will to survive pushing through fear. Jennah Mokhtarzada sings with a clear, steady tone that feels incredibly human—like someone carrying a story that isn’t hers, but one she refuses to let be forgotten. What makes this song resonate even more is the history behind it. Michalopoulos’ grandmother survived the Armenian Genocide, and that legacy of pain and resilience is woven through everything he creates. His activism for Palestine isn’t separate from his art; it is his art. This track is part of his “Suite for Palestine,” and all proceeds go directly to UNRWA, which means listening is also an act of support.
The video work surrounding the song adds another layer of meaning. Directed by Ilana Alazzeh and shot at the Sitar Arts Center in DC—where much of Michalopoulos’ community work has taken shape—the visuals combine live performance with haunting imagery from “Melody for What Is Lost,” featuring dancer Crystal Silmi. Her movement, part keffiyeh, part Palestinian flag, tells the story of a people who have endured decades of loss yet refuse to disappear. The video feels like a collaboration of not just artists but advocates, each bringing a piece of themselves to the message. The song has already been recognized on the festival circuit, earning a prize at the Madonie Film Festival and selections for the 2025 Coliffe Festival and the 2025 So Limitless and Free Film Festival. But honestly, the real power of the track isn’t its accolades—it’s that it refuses to let the world look away. “I Am Not Afraid (Drums Remix)” isn’t just music. It’s a document of grief, a testament to resilience, and a reminder that even one child’s voice can spark an entire movement of empathy and action. It stays with you long after it ends, which is exactly what great protest art is supposed to do.
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