Germany's Shantel making waves in the BalkansJust before leaving Bulgaria, I saw Shantel making an appearance on Serbia's "MTV" called DM SAT. The Serbian music television station played Disco Partizani (which was shot in Istanbul. I saw some of the places in the video). I talked about Shantel and this video a while back because of its racial tones by using ciganizatsia (niggerization).
Serbia's Mtv, DM SAT (don't worry they have MTV too)After the video, DM SAT interviewed Shantel in German about his music and its influences. It was translated into Serbian and I couldn't catch enough of it to follow everything but they definitely were asking him about his Balkan music.
Why is important? For the most part, the Balkans is pretty much unaware of the Westernized Balkan Music movement and rarely has heard of such musicians like Shantel, BalkanBeatBox or Beirut. And that has a certain irony and is probably a good representation of other "World Music" movements throughout the world. What the locals listens to is usually different that the Westernized and culturally translated music that is popular in the Western countries. The fact the Shantel is able to make presence in Serbia (and other Balkan countries, he gets occasional radio time in Bulgaria) is somewhat symbolic of the two types of music directly influencing each other.
Besides, I enjoy nothing more than seeing a German DJ that specializes in remixing Balkan music for clubs in Europe become popular in the Balkans. A similar comparison would be a German Country music star becoming popular in the bible belt. Its just to much fun, in terms of social observation, to not talk about.
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2 comments:
very good article an a interesting point of view. would serbians think the same way, if shantel would be born serbian?
Good Question.
I'm an outsider myself, so take my opinions with a grain of salt, but I would guess that he probably would have greater popularity.
An important impact to think about his or her target audience. He sings in English (automatically making it more difficult for Bulgarians, at least, to empathize) and the mix is more of a European flavor tempo (its definitely not Chalga). For my friends from Bulgaria that I've played Disko Partizani for, its a mix as whether they like it or not (half and half, probably having something to do with familiarity and what they are comfortable listening to).
I would venture a guess that if Shantel rapped/sang in Serbian with a popular Balkan singer (Chalga, folk or Roma), he would probably be a huge hit in the Balkans. But . . . Germany and the West has a bigger market share than the Balkans.
I can say that more people know about 50 cent and the American pop world than westernized Balkan music in Bulgaria. Obviously, with DM SAT, Shantel is gaining some traction in Serbia.
What will be really intersting (and its starting now with Beirut and Kocani Orkestar, just one example) is watching these local artists start making and mixing music with the westernized Balkan music on equal levels (half western, half "traditional).
Personal Wish List:
Orkestar Kristali + Shantel = Great Music
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