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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Ammar Kalia

Negros Tou Moria: Mavri Ellada review – a rebetiko rap riposte to Greek social division

A close up image of a Black man wearing a bandana with a colourful material hanging over is right shoulder and a big ring showing on his hand, which is held up against his chin.
Forceful statement … Negros Tou Moria Photograph: PR

As far-right political parties have risen in Greece in recent years, young artists from Athens’ migrant communities have been using hip-hop to channel their anger. Rappers such as Kareem Kalokoh and his ATH Kids collective rap (in English) about racism over thunderous trap beats, while Greek-Nigerian artist Moose pays homage to the often-maligned immigrant suburb of Kypseli. Negros Tou Moria, meanwhile, has developed his own Greek-language genre.

Since releasing his debut mixtape in 2012, NTM (real name Kofi Ansong) has pioneered what he calls trabetiko, mixing the Greek working-class folk music of rebetiko with trap. NTM raps about being a second-generation Greek born to Ghanaian parents while adorned in traditional clothing such as tsarouchia pom-pom shoes and a fustanella skirt.

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