In the second half of the 1990s, Tamagotchi was more than a toy. It was a necessity. The digital pet demanded attention at all hours of the day and night - you had to feed it, take it for a walk, take care of it...
If you ignored it, it would die. Today, in real relationships, we often witness a similar pattern. These are relationships where one party is constantly “keeping life going,” while the other passively watches. Such relationships may survive, but they are rarely love. It is precisely this type of emotional imbalance that the Montenegrin rapper addresses. Sara Kurgas aka Kurgashian in the song "Tamagoči", which was written for the compilation "Domestic Work 2".
Using a well-known pop-cultural metaphor, she exposed contemporary relationships without reciprocity, and she talks about all of this for "Vijesti".
You're known for covering a variety of topics in your songs, but this is a love song in a way, but you focused on that "unhealthy" relationship where one person is passive and dependent on the other person to take care of them. Why did you choose this particular topic?
It is true that I try to cover a new topic through each song and express a part of myself that I may not have even realized until the moment of writing. “Tamagotchi” or the so-called “digital pet” definitely represents that modern cyber relationship, somewhat like the one you described. More and more conversations are started via social networks, and they survive through telecommunications and applications. This modern phenomenon has its good and bad sides: when partners are physically present - they are not, and when they are not there - they are, through the phone. For example, more attention is paid to the tone of a virtual message that is sent, while almost no attention is paid to the tone in everyday conversation. Maybe because we do not have a screenshot of the spoken words.
In today's relationships, one partner often takes on the role of "Tamagotchi" and is dependent on the attention, validation, and care of the other partner. How healthy is such a relationship (although it has been shown in examples to work), and have you ever been a Tamagotchi yourself or the other one who cares?
The writing of this song began with a completely different intention. I wanted to make a point about how, as a society, we have completely forgotten or neglected the basics of socialization and conversational culture. However, thanks to your questions and your critical approach to the lyrics I write, allow me to present another dilemma: how can we even gain trust in someone and feel respect if we ourselves have lost the will and energy to explain ourselves to anyone or to give up part of our day to someone, be it responding to a message or spending time with someone important to us?
But somehow I imagine that those who care are gentle towards these passive ones, while in your song you can feel that commanding tone. Is it because sometimes you get bored with the passivity of your partner?
It's natural to get a sense of monotony, but today's couples should probably ask themselves from time to time if they have the patience that those who once had to wait for their partner's response through letters had? We have the blessing and curse of being constantly up to date with our partners' movements through modern tools, so they may not be passive but simply know too much about their lives. This passivity may actually be a lack of mystery that is missing. By the way, Kurgashian always has a commanding tone (laughs).
Many relationships where someone is passive (“sits there”) or just physically present, cause dissatisfaction due to the uneven distribution of emotions in this person who is constantly caring. We all like to be cared for, no matter how much we like to be passive at times. What do you think?
I believe that it is crucial that the same emotions circulate between two people. It is less important who gives how much in all this, but I believe that a relationship in which only one person cares is unsustainable. It is okay to be passive, but not every day.
The song also mentions musicians Sergej and Šako. Specifically, Sergej is known for his love songs, and it is precisely such songs, not only by him but by many other performers, that have been an inspiration and guide to emotions. How much do you think such songs still shape expectations today and idealize love itself?
The fact is that Sergej fills the space in which he performs his songs every time, and that there are often some knee benders. Love is idealized not only through songs, but also through art forms that we follow from a young age (e.g., cartoons). However, even those formats have taken on some other values, so today they don't even hold attention and I'm not sure how credible they are for setting standards for such important things. The same applies to their songs, although I certainly wanted to reflect on their importance for the Montenegrin scene in general through that shout-out.
This track was made for the compilation “Domća rabota”. Unlike the previous one, this time there are many more performers and therefore more women. How do you feel about the fact that hip-hop is constantly the most active in the music scene and do you think you get enough space considering how much you work?
I see this as a very positive trend. Montenegro is underground, so this genre is finally getting enough attention. The truth is that we fought for it ourselves - we are more numerous and louder. The beat is just about to thunder.
Bonus video:
