Romanian hip hop

From ArticleWorld

The Romanian hip hop scene is one that shows growth each year and a constant increase in popularity and numbers of bands performing. Although the main sound is one that is similar to French and German rap music differences can be seen.

History

Romanian hip hop emerged with social and political themes included in the lyrics. Having been at start mainly an underground movement it slowly developed with the appearance and the success of band B.U.G. Mafia. (Bucuresti Underground Mafia). Its members, Tataee, Caddy and Uzzy portrayed a violent (often considered imaginary) scenario of the part of the capital where the lived. The neighborhood known as Pantelimon (a part of Bucharest) was considered a very violent one and it has provided the band with many songs that were appealing especially to younger people.

Over time, other hip hop bands emerged from the underground movement and claimed success. The most successful band at the moment is considered to be Parazitii, although others like C.T.C., Sisu & Puya (in the beginning known as La Familia but changing after member Sisu was jailed and released), R.A.C.L.A, Da Hood, Anonim, and Codu Penal. Several rappers have showed their influence in producing tracks or recording very successful featurings. Some of them are K-Gula, Uzzy, Puya, Vlad Dobrescu, Rimaru and Bitza.

Although in the mid-2000s, Parazitii are dominating the scene at the moment several underground bands are also beginning to be known and other proclaimed ones are catching up. Deriving genres are also becoming popular. Examples can be given in Bitza’s urban soul tracks or Cristina’s R&B songs. Another visible fact stands in the Romanian bands starting to perform in foreign countries with huge success following them.

One of the biggest scandals in Romanian hip hop music has been given by the censorship band Parazitii got on one of their tracks. A public and televised letter from Hustler mogul Larry Flint attacked Romanian CNA (Censorship Association) deeming that it can create social disturbance. The only result that came out of it was a fine towards the band and no change in legislation. This created a very popular theme among hip hop bands with many lyrics being directly aimed at the institution (“Fu@# CNA”, “The national authority being preoccupied with censoring while corruption is at hand” and others). One Parazitii track called “Fu@# you Romania” enjoyed huge success and this was especially because of the conflict with CNA. Besides conflict with the authority several other day to day life themes are also popular and are enjoying success.