Greek Folk Music & Rap

Wednesday, May 13

Giorgos Dalaras, Christos Nikolopoulos, Tiny Jackal & Thanasimos

In a historic meeting between two iconic figures of Greek folk music—composer and musician Christos Nikolopoulos and singer Giorgos Dalaras—and popular representatives of the rap and hip-hop scene, Tiny Jackal and THANASIMOS. The speakers will participate in an open discussion on the evolution of rebetiko and its contemporary interpretations. Rembetiko is approached as cultural heritage, as a living musical practice, and as an influence that intersects with contemporary genres, such as Greek hip-hop.

The discussion focuses on the social and political parallels between rebetiko and rap, on the evolution of the rebetis and the contemporary “ra-betis,” as well as on the concepts of “identity,” “censorship,” and “criminalization.” In this context, reference is made to Ilias Petropoulos, who, in his book Ypokosmos and Karagiozis (published by Nefeli), points out that each era shapes its own corresponding type of “rebeti.” At the same time, music is examined as a way of life and a form of expression, as well as the introduction of a marginal sound into mass culture. Finally, the book highlights the importance of concepts such as “honor” and “respect,” both within musical communities and in their relationship with broader society.