Four ladies and… eight tickets
Last week in Riga, in Vagonu Hall, a new series of events “Vagonu Hall Hip Hop” was opened, where it is planned to give an insight directly into the Latvian hip-hop scene – current events, trends, and at the same time offer it as a platform where you can see both the new generation of hip-hop artists and already proven musicians. And the ladies were entrusted to start this series of events – She (real name Zelma Jägere), Ūga (Daiga Barkāne), BDM (probably even she doesn’t know the name of this mysterious performer…) and Krisy (Kristiāna Skudrupa) took the stage.
First, a little behind the scenes. Ideally, it was planned to unite all Latvian performers who work in the hip-hop genre or at least are close to it, and Boo (Ilze Fārte) would also fit well into this picture, whose latest EP or trilogy “Black Magic” fully corresponds to the intended concept, and also Boo’s activities in the association ” Left Bank” considers him a hip-hop commune. However, the impressive fee of the young artist was apparently unbearable for the organizers. Discussions were also sparked by the possible invitation of the 2022 debutante Vultura (Annie Tina Kukuk), who was crowned with a “golden microphone”, but she personifies herself more as a representative of electronic music. True, Vultura was still at the concert – this time as a visitor, which means that there were no such thoughts by chance.
It is interesting that even a week before the concert, only… eight tickets were sold. But in the end, everything was fine – the hall could not be called overcrowded, but there was interest in our rap ladies. And the ladies showed themselves and proved themselves for the honor.
Current leaders – Ługa and She
I’m sorry Krisy and BDM, but against the background of the other two ladies, they were still warm-ups at this concert. True, one can expect great works from the visually impressive and feminine BDM, which was confirmed by her, at least in the reviewer’s opinion, fantastic debut album “Shapeshifter” (2021). Currently, the rapper is working on her second studio album, which was also unveiled at a concert in the Wagonu Hall, but what we have heard forces us to make rather cautious predictions about its quality for the time being. For spice, BDM is the first domestic hip-hop artist to appear on the cover of “Klubs” magazine in an erotic photo shoot.
On the other hand, Latgale rap princess Ługa – the only woman rapping in Latgale, probably in the whole wide world – is a force! It should be reminded that she started her career as a rapper in 2016, is a representative of the hip-hop association “Ausmeņa Records” and Łaga’s debut album “LG ir HH” released in 2020 (that means “Latgalī is Hip Hop”, that was the name of Łaga’s first song) received In the “Golden Microphones 2021” debut nomination. This unites the Latgalian rapper with Her, who won the debutante statuette already in 2018 for her first mini-album “Breathe”. “I don’t want to say anything more about the new album yet, because my work process takes time – I am very demanding of myself and also of my team – but what comes long comes well, and I will definitely release it in the summer,” after performance to the author of these lines was expressed by Ługa.
The girls are friends and are not going to compete
Uga kept a bit aloof at the concert, but the expressive, fearless and charismatic She was everywhere – on the stage, next to the stage, behind the stage, etc. “There are four of us tonight [reperes], but I think that we are even more than that. I had already met Uga last summer – we met and immediately became friends! I came earlier tonight because I really wanted to meet the other girls. For me, it is very important to kill any possible “appearance” of competition – no, we are friends and we are for each other! We are all very friendly,” says Zelma.
This was also confirmed by Ługa: “I was already familiar with him – last year there was a concert where we both performed. It was a very pleasant meeting, she is really a very warm person! I was also familiar with Miss BDM – we met at a rapper’s event where donations were collected for Ukraine. And today I met face to face for the first time and also got to know Krisy. I understand that maybe other rap artists or listeners would like us to have some fight or drama between us, but no! I respect ladies who do what they want and work very hard. As we can already see at the concert tonight, we are as different as it is possible – each of us has our own way.”
“Call me what you want, I’ll do what I want!”
We have to agree about their diversity: Ługa offers classic rap, while She has been moving towards rock music for a couple of years (she is assisted by three dashing rock men – the masterful guitarist Arturs Liede, the excellent bassist Andrjus Janyuns and the superb drummer Filips Batarags, who once played in Jānis Bukums). in addition, She as Zelma released the album “Diamond Dust” this year, which has a touch of electronic music. It should be reminded that at one time Zelma became known for working in the electronic music project “Bandmaster” (together with DJ Rudd and Andi Anson), with which she even received the “golden microphone” in the category of the best electronic music album. However, her most popular song is the rap piece “Tea with the queen”, which has already exceeded two million (!) views on the Internet site “Youtube”. “Her songs are characterized by skillful, challenging, apt, creative, deep and often melancholic lyrics, which are combined with her smoky, unique vocals and versatile musical accompaniment,” – this is how this musician is announced.
“I think yes [esmu repa meitene],” Zelma answers after a short moment of reflection about her belonging to one of the genres. “Right now, I’m just finalizing the new song, for which I also shot a video – it’s her piece, a rap piece. I’m also currently writing a new rap album. Let Zelma stay Zelma. I think that my songs combine several things, and then it depends on who perceives it – there are rap lyrics, there are also a lot of rap songs, but there is also a rock accompaniment, etc. I do not know. It has always been difficult for me to put myself in a niche. When they started calling me a rapper – OK, call me what you want, I’ll do what I want!” she laughs.
Latgalian and rapper to the core
Go your own way with Ługai – even in a short conversation you can already sense that she has a strict character and her own opinion. “I want to emphasize that we [no repa apvienības “Ausmeņa Records”] we don’t like recognition, fame, or advertisements. We are “Ausmeņa Records” and we stick to our roots!” is strictly determined by Height. “There are many associations operating in Ludza and elsewhere, but in Latgale, hip-hop culture is respected, and we are not looking for recognition. We’re just doing what’s close to our hearts!” Daiga also added that only this time she came to the Riga concert alone, but “other times, my friends also travel with me, and that’s how we travel around Latvia with our music.”
When asked about the development of hip-hop in Latgale, Ūga also mentions the group “Latgalīšu reps”, but “in general, we work more as a team at home”. “There are also guys who are making new “staff”, I am also trying to involve more and more new people to join “Ausmeņa”. Rap is not an easy thing – I have understood that for a long time. If I offer something to someone, there are always some reservations to refuse. However, I really hope that we will be able to attract someone else and – just shine, shine, shine and shine!” Úga is determined.
In hip-hop, everyone is a big family
On the part of male rappers, lack of jealousy is not felt. “The guys help us and support us, also from the guys – beatmakers always have support. We are ladies with the strongest back, because we really have super guys in Latvia!” says Uga. “I haven’t had the feeling that someone is looking down on us in the rap scene,” echoes She. “Rather, even the other way around, especially when I showed up: my friend Albert also said that it’s similar in sports, if a girl does a trick with a skate or a BMX, then everyone thinks it’s twice as epic! It was the same for me at the very beginning, when I appeared in rap “battles” – if you are a girl and do everything with the same quality, you have even more respect!”
On the other hand, she has a very direct opinion about the current huge surge of hip-hop in the Latvian land: “I think it’s a bit ironic that nowadays every second “guy” wants to be a rapper, but there are a lot of people who don’t get it and shouldn’t do it, but they try, and from the outside it often looks funny. But! At the same time, there are also a lot of young people who really succeed. I am only happy about it. No matter how you do it, maybe it won’t always be to my taste, but if you “torture” from the heart and there are listeners who are touched in some way, then everything is fine! I have no prejudice against the new and the different, I accept everything and everyone and we are one big family! I have also dealt with pop musicians, and what I can say – in hip-hop, family is much stronger! In pop music, the “snakeness” behind the scenes is much greater.”
2023-05-20 03:45:03
#Girls #starting #break #rough #rap #genre
