Egypt street artists rein in their outrage

CAIRO - Reuters

Artists are toning down their outrage as the path to democracy. REUTERS photo

Egyptian rappers and graffiti artists who captured the spirit of the youthful rebellion that toppled president Hosni Mubarak are toning down their outrage as the path to democracy has become more complicated.

Three weeks since the military ousted Mubarak’s elected successor, the Islamist Mohamed Morsi, street artists who want neither religious nor military rule see little place in today’s exhausted Egypt for their once defiant world view.

“Emotions are high. The country is divided...it’s too soon,” said Cairo rapper Mohammed al-Deeb whose lyrics once tapped into growing discontent with life under Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood.