Culture-sharing, of course, is nothing new. But with new forms of media, they are intensified and, increasingly, we get to see what “they” do with “our” art forms. Jenelle N. sent in this fascinating music video of artists in Bulgaria appropriating American hip hop and, correspondingly, elements of “Black” culture (highly produced and largely invented by music executives) and blending it with more “indigenous” art forms (please do note all of my scarequotes).
This duet is, as Jenelle explains, “between two of Bulgaria’s hottest chalga performers, Azis and Malina called Iskam, Iskam (I Want, I Want).”
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_uHa8gTyxU[/youtube]
See also the Google sari.
Lisa Wade, PhD is an Associate Professor at Tulane University. She is the author of American Hookup, a book about college sexual culture; a textbook about gender; and a forthcoming introductory text: Terrible Magnificent Sociology. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
Comments 4
Elena — July 3, 2008
Hip Hop is ridiculously popular in Germany. Die Fantastischen Vier and Freundeskreis are perhaps the best known native bands. And "Aicha" by the Danish band Outlandish was a big hit all over Europe a few years ago -- compare with the Cheb Khaled original.
As for Spanish hip hop, have some Violadores del Verso and La Mala Rodríguez.
R. Wright — July 4, 2008
Hip hop used to be interesting and a type of art. Now it's just...globalized hypersexualized swill.
Le — July 4, 2008
Hip-hop was largely influenced by native and tribal styles of music and dancing. So this is just kind of a full circle back to the roots of the culture.
ottilia_ilves — July 6, 2008
It should be noted that Azis is not only a popular performer in Bulgaria, but also an out homosexual, (who is married to a man) and is known for his flamboyant gender-bending costumes. Seeing him in this video decked out in hip-hop gear strikes me as just another form of drag.
He is also a member of the Euroroma political party and ran for a seat in Parliament. Euroroma supports the rights of the Romani people and low-income families in Bulgaria.
Watch these and compare: