As the momentum of the "Black Lives Matter" movement grew stronger this year, it became an inevitable topic in public discourse in these areas as well. And while some were quick to assess how we can boast that there is no racism in our country, others warned that we also have "our blacks", namely members of the RAE population. It's just that they don't have nearly as much visibility and political representation as African Americans.
Another thing that ties them to African-Americans is that they are "beaten by the voice" that they are extremely musical people, and in the ex Yu area members of the RAE population were some of the legendary musicians, especially in the field of folk music. However, in recent years some other music has become popular for the Roma, at least when it comes to their youth, which is not surprising considering that hip hop culture is characterized by the desire for social visibility, the desire to draw attention to the position and culture of people from the margins of society. , to overcome life's circumstances and escape from the ghetto.
All of that is packed into the song "Who are you to judge me", which is accompanied by a music video by Stefan Rabrenović, signed by Roma rappers Gianni and Eni from Beran. The track was recorded as part of the program "Non-Governmental Organizations in Action to Promote and Protect the Human Rights of Roma and Egyptians in Montenegro" realized by Help and "Walk with us - Phiren Amenca".
"Who are you to judge me" quickly attracted over 10 thousand views and caused positive reactions on social networks. Lyrics like: "I want to go to school, I want to have a degree, I want a place under the sun, I want to have the freedom to show you what I think, to show you what I can do, wherever I go life puts a foot on me", some are even made me cry.
Gianni's (Erđan Beriša) song written by Edin Šabanović, on which Eni (Enis Žumberi) sang the chorus, is characterized by the universal message that at the end of the day we are all people who fight with our fears, chase our dreams, rejoice, love, they suffer and hope for better.
In an interview with "Vijesti", he confirmed that rap is the favorite music of Roma youth, but they are also big fans of dancing. In 2018, Beriša won first place at a competition in Nikšić with the Duga dance club. Now he has realized his dream of being in front of the microphone.
"When I first came to the studio, I almost cried because what I dreamed of came true. "Positive comments encourage me to continue doing rap," reveals the young, 17-year-old rapper.
He fulfilled one dream, his next is to perform all over Montenegro, but also to take others with him, because he says that in his Talum settlement there are still plenty of Roma talented in music. For this opportunity, he cannot thank Help and the Phiren Amenca organization enough, at whose workshop in Cetinje the idea for this song and video was born.
"With this song, we wanted to present our position, culture and things related to our population, and we wanted to record the video in our neighborhood to show the conditions of living here, to present our region and our team. We decided to have it in black and white precisely because of the weight of the text, and I am very satisfied with how it turned out," said Berisa.
He is convinced that he has a talent that could enable him to, as he says, get out of the ghetto.
"I want to make a musical career, now I want to buy equipment and continue", he points out, and all those who want to help him or cooperate with him can contact him on the social networks Facebook (Upss Đani Broo) and Instagram (upss_djani_king).
When asked what he thinks is the most important thing that his fellow citizens should know about his people, he has a simple answer.
"I want them to know that we can be like everyone else, so that they don't think that we are all thieves and the like," he says.
Success, getting out of the ghetto and equality
Gianni says that according to him, the mentioned parallel between African Americans in the USA and Roma in our country makes sense in various ways, but he also draws attention to the fact that African Americans are in a much better position in their country, although they still struggle with racism and prejudice. He would like that comparison to be extended by members of his people becoming as famous and successful as many of his fellow rappers on the other side of the Atlantic.
"I can comfortably say that we can compare ourselves with blacks, although over time they have gained a much better status in society than we do. But similar desires bind us, namely success, getting out of the ghetto and equality. Yes, we have that black mentality, we are rhythmic, we feel the music, we live the music. From my area, unfortunately, no one has yet prospered, but I am sure that our time is coming soon. We have plenty of talent for everyone, we just need people to give us space and a chance to show off," he points out.
Bonus video:
