The musicians were not overly active this year, but the complete health situation that has been going on for a year and a half did not discourage the hip-hopper. Balša Krkeljić Sivil to work on new songs.
That's how he started this year with "Gray Wednesday", in which he published one song every Wednesday. The just-mentioned project brought 26 new songs, which were all found in one place at the beginning of September - Svil's new album.
"It was created in cooperation with fans during the first half of 2021 and through an unusual creative process. It was a challenge to do and release one song a week, to come from idea to realization in seven days. The fans then came up with the song title, album title and cover design, and also chose the guest artists. After half a year of creation and creative interaction, 26 songs were made that make up the album release, which is available on all streaming platforms from September 1", said Sivilo in an interview with "Vijesti" and reminded that the album features guests Kendi, Brut, Random, Grizzly, Nobel and many others.
With the new album, Sivilo boldly questions himself and his surroundings. Depression, suicidal thoughts and mental health, toxic masculinity, political engagement and socially important issues, turbo-folk rap, a mature view of love... - these are all the themes of this album, which is a kind of rollercoaster of emotions, a collision of raw energy and passion with vulnerability. on the other side; everything Sivilo normally is, but this time more mature, sharper and more intimate.
"Now when I look at everything retroactively, the biggest impression is the breaking of the taboo that a work of art should wait for inspiration and that good works require long periods of suffering. I had incredible fun making music for just an hour or two a day...but every day without exception, for half a year. This whole project was one big blow to my ego - only seven days for a song? Should I let the fans decide the names? Should I really post the first thing that comes to mind, without any filters?! Rap this rude and vulgar? This pathetic and vulnerable? From song to song, that ego disappeared and only love remained. Love and passion for what I do. Flow state. As a whole, it's a rollercoaster of emotions and opinions about everything I see and feel and how I react and respond to it," he says about the creation of the Sivilo album, which has been on the music scene for a decade and a half.
He says that it was the new project "Grey Wednesday" that brought him independence.
"For 15 years on stage, I've been absorbing, learning, and in the end I conclude that I need to do this and I can do it 'alone'. I gather my team of people and we rock uncompromisingly. I don't depend on anyone. You can feel it in the music. A mentor approach to texts and a desire to inspire and motivate. If I could do it, so can you. Gray Wednesday with the number of songs (26) and the concept (one song per week) is a killer thing. A challenge after which you come out much stronger", believes the musician.
Since the beginning of his career, Sivilo has uncompromisingly created music that breaks taboos, motivates and inspires. His work is characterized by provocative lyrics and intriguing rhymes that question the status quo.
"The corpus of themes for this album took shape precisely because of depression and through everything I went through while healing from it. I learned a lot about psychology, high performance, self-development, interpersonal relations. I was doing it all from a vulnerable, broken place. Dealing with one topic at a time gave me the strength to be and feel better. I believe that education and awareness are very necessary things for any progress and success, both in business and in private. To have a mature view of the world and to recognize the true values in it...", Sivilo is sure.
What, he claims, connects all 26 songs and what is important to him for the audience to perceive and experience as a message is balance.
"Not everything is black or white, but gray, it's not the beginning of the working week, and it's not even the weekend, it's Wednesday. Be there and from that position you will see and react to everything much better. Always try to know both sides of the story. You are fair in the middle, but also very dangerous because you can go anywhere. The radical left or right cannot do this lightly," advises Sivilo.
Unlike the debut which was brewing for years and had to be released at any cost, this project is completely different.
"The first album was 100 percent made on pure talent and passion. Without any knowledge of music, form, technique. 'I have something to say. I want to be heard'. Everything you heard on that album came out of me. But with maturity, knowledge and experience, songs are made differently. These no longer come out of you, but pass through you. You become a channel through which the unconscious turns into the physical. The creative muscles have been built up so well that creating becomes a habit. The state of flow is much easier to achieve. And he has much less ego, so you're not such a blocker for yourself," Sivilo admits.
This album was also marked by interaction with fans, which the rapper is particularly proud of.
"The interaction with the fans is a consequence of my desire to justify my name 'VašČo'ek'. I am nothing without 'My People'. When I release a song, it is no longer mine, it has been given to others and I am overjoyed that all these years there is someone to take that 'ownership' of them. This time, I wondered how I could get fans involved even earlier in the process of creating something that would eventually be theirs. Making songs together was a logical conclusion. Let them decide what kind of music to put on, what to rap about, which rapper to invite as a guest, and finally let them name the song. It was a fun process that brought me closer to my ever-growing community," Sivilo said honestly.
However, this album was not only marked by collaborations with rappers. Namely, Gray Wednesdays were successfully realized from January to March 12, when Sivilo took a two-week break, and after that he "returned" as he says with a "killer gray Wednesday" in which the voices of some Buks fans also appear. About where the idea came from and whether he himself is their fan, he reveals:
"On the song 'Bang Bang' I use a clip from the famous TBOK skit 'Audition for a Robber'. The song is very aggressive and energetic, both lyrically and sonically. When I finished it, I knew something was missing, something that would raise it sonically even more. 'Who else, if I know, wanted to kill everything in front of them out of anger and rage?' I believe she is aggressive Goran she was perfect in her character in that skit.
He is glad that the audience responded well to the duets.
"We asked the audience who they wanted to see on the album and we literally brought them all, so they were delighted. It's incredible to me how much the audience knows me, and how much they wish me well, because they have visions and ideas that match my plans and wishes. I couldn't have asked for better guests on this album. Kandi, Brut, Random, Grzi...they all fit perfectly with the overall concept and atmosphere of the album", says Sivilo.
In the future, he plans to make a long-awaited connection with his fans, because he says he missed them a lot. Some of the songs from the album will also have music videos, and the Montenegrin rapper is also preparing for performances.
"We work with all the good people in our community who want to make a difference and make the world a little better," concludes Sivilo.
Songs have a magical moment - they help listeners overcome their battles
Sivilo decided that the promotion of the album "Siva srijeda", among other things, will be marked by socially responsible activities.
"As part of the promotion of the album, a lot of accompanying socially responsible activities are planned. It is very important for me to have that aspect, which I perceive as a kind of 'return' to the city where I grew up and matured. Why? The music and songs I make and listen to have always had that magical moment - to touch listeners and help them overcome their battles. It is something I value most and I will never get used to it. Music helps", believes Svilo, and he does not hide that there was always a regret in him that it was not enough, that he could do better and be there for his people more.
"I am proud that I now have the opportunity to give back to my community in other ways, in addition to music. Much more direct, not to mention more effective. I partnered with the Center for Social Work and the Center for Housing to find ways to help my neighborhood and the city. There are problems, there is a will to solve those problems - really! Now I'm focused on kids who are at the age of becoming boys. I believe that that period is the most turbulent and many feel confused, lonely, angry. Hip hop knows what street life brings and many rappers have lived it. Hence the motivation. How to guide kids on the right path and show them that they are not alone. How to make 'street life' safe", he explains.
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the album "Siva srijeda" brings songs, and with them Sivilo boldly questions himself and his surroundings. Depression, suicidal thoughts and mental health, toxic masculinity, political engagement and socially important issues, turbo-folk rap, a mature view of love... - these are all topics of this album.
Bonus video:
