This is an Albanian private party with Live music from Muharren Ahmeti.Its hard to tell if its a wedding or not, but this definitely would be played at a wedding. He and the band are switching styles of music throughout the night from Turkish, Roma and traditional. Amza Tairof, from Macedonia, is also there playing on the the KORG. Notice how the money given to the musicians and skilled dancers (usually women), something not quite as normal in America.
Orkestar Kristali is one of the most popular and reknowned Roma bands in Bulgaria. They play mostly Roma weddings and festivals. It would be considered Roma Music in Bulgara, a big departure from Romanian and Serbian Roma music
Sevchet is a Romani musician from Macedonian who straddles Tallava / Traditional Romani music and hip-hop / Rap. Here is a live recording of Sevchet (sometimes written Sevcet or Sev4et; 4=c=ch in Slavic languages sometimes online). This would probably be classified as Tallava but it would be also called just Roma music in Bulgaria.
Here is a solo performance of Amza Tiroif. Some things of note about Amza:
He's a one man band that compliments other musicians or can go alone
He plays a variety of music and there is a influence of Balkan Folk music (at least Bulgarian) but he improvises live and embellishes heavily.
He's from Macedonia, but plays all over the Balkans for Roma concerts/parties.
It also says something of the staying power of the Synthesizer in Roma Music (Mentioned Previously). Obviously, the instrument has been legitimized within the region just by virtue of the demand of musicians that play it.
Okay, I know, it looks pretty cheesily filmed and Cita has an amazing mullet. But he CAN sing and that's what really matters, right? Cita is the Roma singer with the shorter hair. He had a TV special with Amza (with the long hair, more in the next Daily Dose) in Macedonia; the beer advertisement is for a the Skopje / Skopie beer company.
I want you to notice a pattern, of sorts, with tallava: Its usually solitary or with minimal accompaniment; its heavy on synthesizers; crisp "barabani" drums lead the beat.
Just a couple of quick announcements about The Balkan Hour.
The Daily Dose | There really are two types of blogging/writing; Current, fast, bytes that are short on context and explanation, and long, wordy pieces that are more precise but not as captivating. I prefer the latter (can you tell by this lead-in?). In an effort to appeal to the more casual observer, I'm going to give a Daily Dose of Balkan Music. It will mostly be video based but occasionally it will be something else. It will be quick and to the point. Video, text saying the name, and something funny or witty. That's it. Enjoy.
Google Ads & Amazon Favorites? | I've added advertising to the website not really to make money but more as an experiment. I'm curious if it will make any money and I figure "why not". The Amazon Favorites allows me to promote books, CDs and Films I really enjoy in a legal way that most viewers can easily access.
From this Blog, I've created an On-line presence at StumbleUpon, YouTube, Vbox7.com, Technocrati.com and Imeem.com . I've included links to all of these profiles on the sidebar towards the bottom. Feel free to look around. On YouTube and Vbox7.com, I've got original videos from Bulgaria. Imeem is my music player of choice (currently). Muxtape, sigh. StumbleUpon has a lot of music and websites that I haven't blogged about yet.
My continued search for Tallava has led me into some interesting conversations in my Mahala (Neighborhood in Bulgarian but also commonly the term for the Roma Neighborhood). I've had some great conversations about the music and generally no one recognizes the music by that name. In defense, I probably really mispronounce it (Tal - la - va).
Seeing how most of the Bulgarians and Roma in my limited sample pool of five people from my town have never heard of the name Tallava, I decided to seek out opinions of people online. After searching a little, I asked some YouTube members what they think Tallava is. Romeo was kind enough to respond and add his perspective on Tallava. He is a musician in America and his YouTube page is ROMEOKLARINET. Here is what he had to say about the Tallava genre:
Tallava is not kuchek, cocek or oro (horo in Bulgaria *Editor's Note*) and it is not Albanian Roma style. This style that was ORIGINATED in Kosovo. The Roma people in Kosovo invented this style. One of the people to start this awesome style was a guy by the name of TAFA. Tafa was a roma singer in kosovo that sang in Albanian. Others musicians caught on such as LUMI, CITA, and so forth. Now most of Balkans imitate this style called TALLAVA.
I would recommend browsing through Romeo's Favorites on YouTube. He has selected a lot of Romani artists that I plan to highlight on this blog, plus it allows you to see the somewhat fluid nature of Roma music throughout the Balkans. Influences from Bulgaria are liked in Serbia / Albanian; and vice-versa. Its common for Roma in the town I live in to have Roma music from Serbia, Albanian and Macedonia (not mention Chalga/Pop Folk from all over the Balkans) TAFA from Kosovo
I believe this is TAFA but honestly is really difficult to find anything by his name TAFA. I mean, I'm using AOL video for crying out loud . . .
Tafa, most popular singer of the "Talava"genre, with bank notes given to him by his enthusiastic audience. Photo: Svanibor Pettan ___________
I'm going to post so more examples of Tallava this upcoming week, one per day, some come back often for your daily dose of Tallava
My previous post about chalga was rather wordy but it wasn't very descriptive with visual or audio (which frankly is the only way you can really discuss Chalga in Bulgaria). So I'm going to start (a long) process of creating a Chalga Timeline so people can see the changes it made throughout time.
1950-70s: Kafana Music (Cafe Music) or Chalga Music (Older interpretation, "to play")
Silvana Armenulic '76 - Noca mi srce pati
Kafana Music is even tied with the Romani Hymn, Djelem Djelem which was recorded for the 1967 film: I Have Met Happy Gypies (previous post) .
Kafana Music or what would be considered Chalga music in Bulgaria (played at bars, social events, popular among the common masses) then starts a transition from entertaining drunks a bars to something that Serbians have classified as Neo-Folk (meaning new folk). If you listen to the music, they bare striking resemblance to traditional folk songs but are more western/ballad sounding. Kafana music exists today in cafes and bars but I'll classify Kafana music (and Chalga music, at bars and social events in this form) around 1950s-1970s because Serbian media repeatedly used the cultural motif in films.
Neo-folk Transitions | Bringing in the West
Lepa Lukic - Od izvora dva putica
This video was filmed in Paris so its pretty obvious to see how there might be a connection between Serbia Neo-Folk music and Western Culture. Not only is she literally in Paris, something that would have been difficult for a singer from what was a communist state like Bulgaria, but you can also see where the Serbian singer is placing emphasis on as a cultural icon. This music isn't very much different from the Kafana music. Its slightly more refined and tuned (professionally recorded, music videos in Paris) and is commercially more accessible.
The Changes, circa 1989 | Post- Communist "Democracy" and the Mafia
Sani - Oh, Banana This song is a loosely veiled metaphor for fellatio. It is consider old chalga and while the music video was conservative the sexual innuendo was too much for the more older Bulgarian population. There is a definite change between Neo-Folk and Chalga. Its cruder and has the influence of western pop. The lyrics are catchier and rhythm is easier for dancing. Some people might even define it as Turbo-Folk (faster beat). This song would have been inconceivable during communist times. Its a testiment to the lack of laws and also the Mutra culture of the 1990s in Bulgaria. Mutra are the underings of the Mafia; having thick necks, black wearing and gold chains. The Mutra backed and attended night clubs liked this new irreverent music. Just check out the lyrics (rough translation made for the sake of time, plus it seemed awkward to ask a Bulgarian for a exact translation):
Kef mi stana shtom go hvava oh banana, ah banana kolko e sladuk i laduk, luskav i gladuk, leko izvit e i strahovid
I become happy when I grab it; oh banana ah banana; How sweet, shiny, smooth, and gently curved . . .
The Clean-up (from the Mafia) and the Commercialization of Chalga
Desislava Nakoi Den | Someday
As you can see, much more commercialized and standardized. Its a R&B ballad. Also notice that while the lyrics are more poetic and intelligent, Desislava is clothed in much less than Sani was in her Banana video. Now, its pretty much required for a Chalga singer to bare her body and be sexually attractive; its part of her selling point. Think: Brittany Spears, Mariah Carey, and other western women pop music singers.
Anyway, this by no means completely describes the Chalga discussion. I hope that is starts to give you a glimpse of the changes and to make it easier for you to understand the cultural context of the genre Chalga. In Bulgaria, Chalga in its current form isn't really remotely similar to what was Chalga 50 to 70 years ago. But somehow the word "Chalga" carried over. I personally think this has to do with both types of music being associated with the masses and it also being a mixture of many influences. Granted, there are direct influences from both Turkish and Roma culture in Chalga. Roma musicians play both "old Chalga" and "new Chalga" but I think its premature to say Roma musicians were the common linkage. This is partly because of steretyping and I'm not sure if its historically accurate.
Another thing to consider is the mixture of Serbian and Bulgarian influences. I've sort of mixed to two to describe Chalga. But it is important to know that Chalga (in its current form) and Chalga (in its old form) developed differently and weren't directly linked. Also, there was an explosion of Chalga like music after "The Changes" (fall of the Communist government for Bulgaria) all across Soviet Block states including Poland, Croatia, Macedonia and Romania. Plus Greece has adopted the Chalga form of pop music as well. I haven't really addressed this either, but I hope to in the future.
One of the biggest problems with researching Balkan Music as a constructive whole is the language barrier. Granted, there are some common terms carried over by the Ottoman Empire and the common Slavic root language. However, its difficult to know that names of things in different cultures.
Let's take for instance Tallava. Everything I watch about Roma music in Bulgaria using the word Tallava; but i have no idea what it means. I often times see it linked with Albanian music and Albanian Roma music. But honestly, I have no idea what it means. So, in my limited time left here in Bulgaria (until Oct. 10). With Tallava rolling through my mind, I decided to randomly ask people in the town I live in Bulgaria if they had heard of this word. Examples:
Tallava Tereza KALLE STUDIO-SHARI
Directly "tagged" as Tallava on YouTube
AMZA-ALIOSHA-I SASHKO BIKOV
Music that I'm familiar with Bulgaria as Roma music (with a touch of folk music). It feels familiar but I'm not sure if it can be classified as the same.
The Tallava Interviews:
I met a Roma musician that has played professionally for over 15-20 years in Bulgaria. He plays the saxophone but like most musicians is capable of playing other instruments as well. Throughout his career, he has balanced the need for Bulgarian Folk music at mehanas where he has worked for 15 years and playing at more improvised Roma Weddings. A Mehana is a large dining restaurant with live music and heavy drinking. Possibly a country dance hall would be similar (except the guest sit down around 6-7pm and eat a full meal and then dance/listen into the night. In Serbia, a mehana is called a kafana. Anyway, I asked him about Tallava music and he said:
It's a type of Roma music with a certain type of drum set and usually has synthesizers. It also called Albanian Roma music sometimes.
Recently, I was visiting a Roma family in my town and I happened to have the good fortune of meeting an Albanian friend of the family who was visiting as well. As is common in Roma families in Bulgaria, and most of Europe, the friend of the family was from Albania but had worked in Greece for six years. Now he was visiting Bulgaria. Almost every Roma family has family members working and finally living abroad. Bulgarians also have a lot of family abroad but I would say that the immigration within Europe for unskilled labor is more common for Roma whereas Bulgarians (because they have more money and English) tend to immigrate to America. He spoke no Bulgarian and very broken english but was able to communicate with the Roma family in Greek. I talked with him in a mixture of Bulgaria (translated to Greek) and English. I asked him what Tallava music was and, obviously, he was a little confused as why an American would ask him about Tallava (and mispronounce it). After I finally switched to simple English and the question was translated into Greek, he finally was able to understand me to respond:
Oh, Roma music? Its Roma music. With the . . . *Makes drumming motions and air drums for a second*. Albanian music.
My Bulgarian friends just looked at me for a while and shrugged.
*Shrug*
Do You Know What Tallava means? If you do, please leave a comment or help direct my research in the right direction. Thanks.
Okay, enjoy this short post about how Balkan pop music influenced by American pop and then also how they influence each other.
Watch this first video, it should sound somewhat familar: Azis - Dai Me Led (Give Me Ice)
DJ Suat - Gimme That - Tallava Remix (Albanian Style)
Ummmm, that form of dancing is called Kuchek or Cocek which is common throughout the Balkans. And I'm going to talk about that another time. Just listen to the music. It's DJ Saut's original video that he/she posted.
Chris Brown featuring Lil' Wayne - Gimme That Remix featuring Lil' Wayne
So, now do you recognize the song and the original Western influence? This is an excellent example of Chalga and how it works. Chris Brown creates a relatively popular song, a DJ remixes it in some form to Balkanize its sound (notice the drums, tupani, in the second video) and then a famous Chalga singer "collaborates" with the DJ and/or original artist and rewrites the lyrics into Bulgarian keeping the same sound (Azis saying "Give me Ice" in Bulgarian not "Gimme That" in English). Its like a microcosm of globalization right there. Except a decent portion of Bulgarians never realize that the song Azis made is lifted from a DJ (Balkanized Sound) and an original western artist.
But its not like western artists don't make remixes either. Current remixes of the Chris Brown song:
And other names in other countries but I don't want to spread my definition too thin.
Generally, the genres are very similar: Women in minimal amounts of clothes, simple lyrics at appeal to a large mass and music influences all over the world. So when referring to Chalga one must make a distinction between popular "Chalga" or Pop Folk and more traditional Chalga music from the past (wedding music, roma music).
I hope to give some more examples of Chalga or Pop Folk later on this month in the Daily Dose . I just don't want to confuse the music too much.
CORRECTED (Thanks Damian for the Sharp Ear, #9 Djan Sever Mislabel as Sofia Marinova)
I've added some more music to my growing playlist/radio. Here is a break down of the new artists:
Karandila Orkestar | Krasi and Ronny - Roma Brass Band based in Sliven, they have toured internationally
Galena & Ustata | Strast na Kristali - This is Black Sea themed Chalga (I mentioned it before). Both singers teamed up for this particular song but don't always work together. Its popular in night clubs and bars.
Ustata | Pustono Ludo and Mlado (The Young and Crazy Wilderness, loosely translated)- on his own. The instrument is a gaida or a Bulgrian bagpipe. Its frequently played in night clubs also. It would be classified as Chalga.
Orkestar Kristali | Unnamed - This is a live recording of Orkestar Band playing, probably at a wedding or festival. This would be considered Roma music in Bulgaria. Notice the differences in tempo and style from Chalga and the usuage of the Romani language.
Orkestar Kristali | Ti si samo osimi klas (You have only graduated 8th Grade) A Romani ballad from the same Orkestar.
Sali Bend | Unnamed - Another live recording of a Romani Orkestar. This would be heard at a wedding or a social occasion. One of the better Romani Orkestars in Bulgaria.
Cita (Cheetah) - Le Le Tuke Gilavav - Macedonian Roma musician with another example of a live recording at a social event. Also considered one of the better Roma musicans in the region.
Sofi Marinova | Onzi Fatalen Den (That Fateful Day) - This is a Roma singer that has been able to switch between Chalga music and traditional romani music rather easily. This would would be considered Chalga, but notice how the tempo is slower and more professionally constructed.
Djan Sever | Sa Ka Dav - I accidently added an incorrectly labeled song to the playlist. It's labeled Sofi Marinova but its actually Djan Sever who is a woman Romani/Turkish singer. This song is sung in a mixture of Turkish and Roma. This music would be considered Roma music. Referenced here with live music and mislabeled here with the commentary discussion here proving the mislabeling. I plan to reload the song, correctly labeled, soon. Here's the old post I had: Sofia Marinova | Placheto Surce (The Crying Heart, loosely translated) This song is sung in Romani and would be considered Roma music in Bulgaria. However, notice that her style didn't change, just languages. Its a great example of how she floats between both Bulgarian pop music and Romani music worlds.
Orkestar Kocani | Sika Sika Baba - This Macedonian Romani brass orkestar is somewhat famous for this song. Zach Condon of Beirut has also started playing this song in his set as well. Its originally a Turkish song (I'll post it later) but it has been stylized by the brass band.
Orkestar Kocani | Mi Bori Sa Korani - The word Kocani is pronounced Kochani, and is the city from which the Orkestar is from. This is another example of Roma brass music.
Orkestar Karandila | Lechkov Kuchek - Orkestar Karandila is a Roma Brass band from Sliven, Bulgaria. Most Roma in Bulgaria don't really listen to this type of must but Karandila has had a lot of success internationally. This "Kuchek" or "Cocek" in Serbian is a different tempo and style than most Kuchek music in Bulgaria.
Ustata | Male Male - I mentioned this song from Ustata in my Black Sea themed chalga post.
Toshko Todorov | Radka Piratka (Radka the Firecracker) Great example of early Chalga (1994-96) as it transitioned into something more commercially viable. Great beat, gaudy lyrics and infectious.
Rado Shisharkata and Popi | Tigre, Tigre (Tiger, Tiger) - This also is another reference to earlier mid 1990s Chalga. It also loosely plays off what was the "mutra" culture at the time in Bulgaria. Mutra or Mutri (plural) are thick necked mafia underlings that sport lots of gold.
Rado Shisharkata | Shopska Salata (Shopska Salad) Another example of early Chalga with simple lyrics and a simple beat; mid 1990s. He's saying "I love shopska salad" when he drinks and has pretty girls around him.
Sani | Oh, Banana - Probably one of the best example of the raciness of early Chalga and how it unsettled the Bulgarian cultural elite. She's singing about how happy she becomes in eating a banana (sexual innuendo anyone?). And in in the music video she's shown eating the banana provocatively on the video. mid 1990s.
I've been hesitant to dive into the confusing world of Chalga and Bulgarian Pop music because frankly its difficult to understand from a cultural and historical standpoint. Mostly Bulgarians would laugh at a statement like that because most deem Chalga as racy, crude and unintelligent; and certainly not worth discussing much less associating it with Bulgarian or Balkan Culture. Chalga, however, offers a great lens into Bulgarian culture and society; it may not be the self-proclaimed emblem of Bulgarian musical excellence but neither is Brittany Spears in America. Brittany, and all of the Mickey Mouse Club Gang, do however shape American culture; just like Chalga shapes Bulgaria (except we've got that confusing thing of nationalism in Bulgaria). I've decided to break up my discussion of Chalga in pieces and I'll be adding to it as i go. Just click the Chalga tag to get all the posts on Chalga.
Okay, let's Start at the Beginning: The Word "CHALGA"
Chalga is rooted from the Turkish word çalgı (chalgi) which means instrument. Chalga is a universal word throughout the Balkans but is most commonly used in Serbia, Macedonian and Bulgaria to describe Bulgarian Pop music. Even though it's a Turkish word, it sometimes it is loosely translated as "to play" or "to play an instrument" within the Bulgarian context. Other Turkish words solidify linguistic connection; çalgıcı (chalgisi) is Turkish for musician. The current embodiment of Chalga doesn't really represent the historical reality of what was Chalga during the Ottoman Empire. While the word is has origins in Turkey and Turkish culture, Chalga in Bulgaria is considered a type of Pop music that mixes everything from reggeaton to Arabic influences with a heavy slathering of Bulgarian, Greek and Turkish folk music.
So its not Turkish, but its from a Turkish word? . . . Not exactly
Chalga means to play in Turkish and it originates from the demand during parties and weddings for musicians, who where historically roma, to play music for the guests during the Ottoman Empire over 100 years ago. Much like any wedding (picture your typical American wedding with the symphony music along with the country music and the romantic R&B songs), these musicians had to be able to play many different styles of music and often switch styles with every song. Because there was such a demand for live music, these musicians often were paid well and were able to survive during the Ottoman Empire (and then later when Bulgaria re-became at a country; I'm not sure how to describe that). Additionally, the musicians were playing live continuously and often times with different band members; this caused the musicians to become adept and creative musicians and often playing off of each other. To increase their earnings and to standout from other musicians, the musicians would start to embellish and modify the songs. Someone who was able to play many types of music and skillfully improvise songs were called chalgadzhia (again rooted in the Turkish word musician, chalgasi). The roots of Chalga came from the Ottoman Empire but slowly changed throughout the years as Bulgarian and the Balkans gained political and social independence from the fallen empire.
A Time-line would look something like this:
Ottoman Empire - Chalga music is used predominately as entertainment, blending Turkish and other folk music from conquered countries for weddings, funerals, public events, etc.
Republic of Bulgaria Disowns Chalga Music - As a newly formed political state, Bulgaria strives to create a national identity and distances itself from the Turkish laced Chalga music by creating Bulgarian Folk Music ensembles like Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares and the work of Philip Koutev. This happens roughly in the 1950s.
Serbia Accepts Chalga with Open Arms (1960s-1980s, roughly) - Historically a more open member of Soviet Block--even granting passports and visas to western countries--Serbia was more open to Chalga music and it fostered there during the height of the communist era. It makes a slow transition to something more like Pop/R&B music, heavily influences by western pop music.
The Changes circa 1989 - Bulgaria becomes a democratic republic and all laws and morals for human decency go out the window; so Chalga comes back to Bulgaria in a crude, rough form. Mostly found in night clubs and other places of ill repute and tied with the Mafia (nightclubs, music, lack of moral decency, etc.).
Chalga Makes Money, Cleans up and learns Marketing- Chalga music becomes more professionalized through the selling of discs, music videos and professionally edited tracks. It cleans up its crime laden image but not its scantily clad women singers or lyrics. Every TV in Bulgaria has about 3-4 channels that some form of Chalga music through music videos and concerts; live concerts become popular with children and youth. Now all the youth of Bulgaria (starting ages 6 or so) start liking (and buying) chalga music. Chalga music becomes a form of simple, danceable pop music with simple lyrics and musical influences from all over the world (borrowed as they say, but sometimes directly lifting from other songs). Most intellectual Bulgarians are driven crazy by the ignorance of the simple-minded masses and repeatedly claim that it isn't Bulgarian cultural. Let the cultural wars begin.
"Chalga" and "Pop Folk"
What might have been termed "Chalga" during communist times certainly isn't what most people label as chalga now in Bulgaria, Serbia, Macedonia and other Balkan states. Chalga as a music form has changed into a commercialized form of Pop music. To help appeal to a large market (my guess), the marketing gurus of Chalga renamed Chalga music (in its pop music form) it "Pop Folk". This de-ethnicized the music from its Roma and Turkish roots into something that could appeal to most Bulgarians. Folk music is something all Bulgarians grow up with, so renaming the pop music to "Pop Folk" made the music familiar. This is something similar to Country-Pop and Faith Hill would be a good example. From Ottoman Emipre Chalga to Preslava; Where did it make the jump?
In my limited research on the subject, I've yet to discover how exactly Chalga music made the cross over from live music played at social events (rooted from Turkish meaning of "musicians that just play") to our current form of pop music in Bulgaria and the Balkans. As far as I can tell, the only associations I can find between the two is really the name "Chalga" and that the music was popular with the masses. There are musicial influences from Turkish and Roma music in Chalga, but there are also influences from western rap and hip-hop too.So, I'm hesitant to claim that that is the common linkage. Possibly it was the Serbian (and European) influences. Regardless, I find it interesting how the term "Chalga" has stayed in the Bulgarian and Balkan culture, irrevently reminding Bulgarians of the Ottoman Empire, shocking cultured Bulgarians for its crudeness and giving dance music to teenagers across the Balkans.
I've been wanting for some time to catalogue the Balkan music festivals in a visual form, so i've created a Google Maps profile to display all of the Festivals in the Balkans. I'm still working on filling in the information, but I think its a good start.
I would like any and all of your help collaboratting with this Map. Its open for anyone to edit, so please feel free to add your own festival. Also, add your favorite musicans too!
With a map like this, it becomes easier to plan trips in the Balkans for music festivals and it also allows people to visually see where the music is coming from.
Blog Stuff:
I've been fiddling with the format of the Balkan Hour lately and I still haven't found something I'm comfortable with. I like the black for some reason but it might be difficult for some people to read with the black background. I would love to hear anyone's input about the design/layout of the blog. Suggestions are welcome.
The Balkan Hour "Radio" that is displayed above all posts on this blog (powered by Imeem.com)) has some new additions this month.
Separately embedded for your listening pleasure:
To make sure these additions don't get lost in the Balkan Hour (about 40 tracks now), I've decided I'm going to introduce the songs. I've selected these songs because I either personally like them, they are popular in the Balkans/Bulgaria or they represent a certain genre that is important to be aware of when talking about Balkan music.
So here are the new Additions:
Po Poleka Baby - Sofi Marinova & Larenco | Definitely a hit with the kids in Bulgaria, something of a chalga / kuchek combination, would be considered Roma music
Pare Pare - Sevchet | "Money, Money", this Macedonian born Romani rapper/singer is mixing Romani and Macedonain/Bulgarian lyrics together in the same sentences. Another hit with youth in Bulgaria. Its consider Romani music, partially because of the Romani lyrics and the kuchek undertones of the song.
Zaide Zaide Qsno Slunce - Nikolina Charkardakova | A great Bulgarian/Macedonian song with wonderful lyrics and a beautiful voice. Both countries claim this song, so you can file it into the "ambigious origins" folder because it just to complicated for me to know. Its a Bulgarian Folk song that music bulgarians have heard.
Instramental - Orkestar Kristali & Aliosha | These guys are great examples of Roma music in Bulgaria. Its a pretty large departure from the Brass bands of Serbia and violins of Romania. Now imagine the band playing like this for about six hours and that will give you a picture of a Roma Wedding.
Godzilla - Orkestar Kristali & Aliosha | More for Orkestar Kristali (one of the more well known Romani bands in Bulgaria) and Aliosha (who's singing and clarinet skills are reknowned in the Romani communities in Bulgaria)
Vodka s Koka Kola - Orkestar Kristali | Again, Orkestar Kristali, but notice the slight change in style with more lyrics and a refrain. Its a simple beat with simple lyrics meant for parties. He's saying "I drink vodka with Coke Cola". Again a big hit with the Roma youth here.
Dosta Pare, Dosta Zlato - Rejo | From Petrich Bulgaria, Rejo is a local favorite in the Macedonian region of Bulgaria. This is more famous song. Not as famous as the other Romani musicians but still good. I've seen him live twice and he is low-key and great singer.
Alright, play this song. This is a song that I've heard multiple times in at Roma weddings or other events with live music. Its catchy, danceable and got a refrain. But think for a second, does this song bear any resemblance to any other song you might have heard in the past couple of years?
I haven't lived in America for over two years, so I really can't speak to the popularity of Reggaeton in America now. However, I can say that this latin fusion has migrated to Bulgaria. Chalga songs (Balkan pop, sort of) bear likeliness to this simplistic and danceable genre of music. But probably my biggest shock was when I was randomly listening to Raggaeton music on YouTube (Why not?) this guy named Don Omar was singing a Roma song I'd heard before; Except that the beat and melody was all wrong. Confused as to why a Latin hip-hop star would be using Romani music in his reggaeton hit "Dale Don Dale", I started looking for the Bulgarian version. And low and behold, I found this clip of Orkestar Yanitsa doing a cover of Don Omar's reggaeton hit. Let That Be a Lesson . . .
I initially had got the relationship of influences wrong; thinking the reggaeton star had copied off a Roma band. This partially had to do with the fact that I don't understand Spanish or Romani. Additionally, its a great lesson of how we, as westerners, have the penchant to "Romanize" everything and precariously look for cultural links that sometimes aren't there. Examples of this are categorizing something "Roma" because they are Romani musicians (but are actually playing Raggaeton Covers, or Bulgarian Folk Music). Its just something to think about and ponder.
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