Kyrgyzstan Hip-hop Scene Thriving
In the heart of Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan is making waves in the global music industry, particularly with its vibrant rap scene. Unlike many other states, Kyrgyzstan maintains a minimal intervention in cultural life, allowing artists to freely express political and social criticism through music.
The year 2015 marked a significant milestone with the release of "Zamanbap," the first rap album entirely in the Kyrgyz language. Begish and Bayastan, two influential figures in the Kyrgyz rap community, played a pivotal role in bringing this album to life.
Rap music, both in Russian and Kyrgyz, has become one of the leading genres in Kyrgyzstan. The genre's resurgence can be traced back to the mid-2000s, with groups like Acapella, AP Clan, and Kiggaz gaining a substantial following. Kiggaz, in fact, published the first Kyrgyz-language rap hit, "Derzskii," in 2004, a remake of 50 Cent's "Wanksta."
Mirbek Atabekov and Nurlan Nassip, two Kyrgyz-speaking rappers who frequently appeared on radio and television, belong to the local "Estrada." Their music, like that of many others in the scene, is not just about language proficiency but about elevating Kyrgyz-language rap to an international level.
In the song "Ene Til" from the album Zamanbap, it is stated: "I wish Kyrgyz was spoken in my capital city." This sentiment reflects the artists' desire to promote the use of their native language in everyday life and in the arts.
Kyrgyz rappers, much like their counterparts in neighbouring Kazakhstan, aim to demonstrate that Kyrgyz and "modern" are not mutually exclusive. They incorporate youth slang like "teke" or "zynk" (Kyrgyz for "cool") into their music and align their sound with global rap trends.
Despite the freedom of expression, social pressure in Kyrgyzstan keeps pop cultural content within tight boundaries, especially regarding topics like sex, drugs, or religion. This cultural mentality, rooted in conversations, contributes to the surprisingly tame lyrics found in Kyrgyz rap.
In Bishkek, the capital city, rap music focuses on themes of patriotism, morality, and love. Artists like Deka Djaydi create a dark atmosphere in their songs and delve deeper into the world of rap, focusing more on rap "about rap" than mainstream topics.
However, not all rap music is accepted without controversy. The song Zher Ay, for instance, is not played on the radio due to its controversial lyrics.
Despite these challenges, the Kyrgyz rap scene continues to thrive, with artists like Begish and Bayastan performing on radio and TV and being invited to private events like weddings. The genre's influence is such that even in the northern part of Kyrgyzstan, a poor level of Russian is often seen as a negative social marker.
As the era of online streaming dominates, hip-hop, including rap, DJing, dancing, and graffiti, remains the dominant music genre. The release of "Zamanbap" and the continued success of Kyrgyz rappers have set a new standard in Kyrgyz music, with a focus on the Kyrgyz language and unique sound.
