Status Flow: The Kingly Rhymes of Marracash
A household name in his native country, Italy has in Marracash one of its biggest contenders of hip-hop.
continental drift
Songs of Imploration and Love: The Music of Tajikistan
For centuries, Tajikistan has seen just about every monarchy, kingdom, religious faith and culture sweep through its land, leaving an indelible impression on its people and music.
Bligg Up!: The Bizarre Swiss Hip-Hop of Rapper Bligg
Swiss rapper Bligg, hip-hop's resident weirdo, reinvents the genre through subversion and humour -- and an alphorn's load of smart, catchy tunes.
A Dark Rapture: The Rise of Punk in Spain
Spanish punkers came swinging harder than ever, screaming not for the sake of inducing change, but screaming for the sake of screaming – because now they could.
From the Soul to the Hills: The Music of the Caucasus
The music of the Caucasus is powered by national ardour and ritual. All that's needed is an open and willing audience to accept the undisclosed gifts it brings.
Shocking the Casbah: The Maghrebi-Noir of Rachid Taha
A furious mix of hip-hop beats, Arabic primal screams and punk-rock guitars, Taha brilliantly battles against the ideologies of both Western and Arab traditions.
A Controlled Lunacy: Brigitte Fontaine’s Manic French Pop
French pop's most peculiar figure has been baffling and delighting audiences for decades with her challenging blend of global music styles.
The Rap Pack: Italy’s Indie-Rappers
Italy’s independent hip-hop scene has so far produced some of the brightest, most interesting artists on European shores.
Arab Soul Rebels: Punk Among the Beurs of ’80s France
French-Arab band Carte de Séjour made pop music history with their rousing blend of punk and raï in the early '80s. To date there are no successors in sight.