Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek recently released their new record "Yarın Yoksa". The album follows the acclaimed releases, "Dost 2" (2022) and "Kar Yağar" (2019), and was recorded in New York City. Ilo Toerkell met Derya Yıldırım and Helen Wells from the group to speak about working with Anatolian classics, folk music as resistance and the bağlama in Germany.
The Berlin-based singer Güner Künier is about to release her new record "Yaramaz". On the album, the artist embraces her heritage, singing in Turkish for the first time, and rejects societal expectation of women. Author Anna Grubauer spoke to Güner Künier about what's behind "Yaramaz".
The Berlin-based RnB and soul singer King Josephine just released her debut EP "Note to Self". In conversation with our author Svenja Isabel Hudson, she talks about finally gaining the confidence to release music at 37 and processing anger and loss through song.
The Moroccan-Yemeni artist AŸA is about to release her debut live album “AŸA - Live in Berlin”, allowing us to relive her iconic 2023 concert at Kesselhaus. Opening the door to an enchanting world where music meets fashion and gymnastics, AŸA escapes reality through pop and R&B melodies. Here is what she told us about the journey that took her there.
The Berlin-based rapper Ebow just dropped an extended version of her 2024 album "FC Chaya". The re-release includes four brand-new songs and comes with a glitter edition of the vinyl. The artist, who is a well-known queer and Kurdish voice in the German rap scene, gives us some insight into what the songs are all about.
On "The Breeze Grew A Fire", the alternative R'n'B artist Mereba celebrates the more tender, emotional relationships in life, sharing stories of family, friendship and spirituality. Felicia Aghaye talked to the multi-faceted artist about motherhood, transformation and the gentle power of a breeze.
Parallel to the film festival, Berlinale, several local organisations are organising a counter-program. Falastin Cinema Week is hosted by Refuge Worldwide, AL.Berlin, Jewish Bund, Diaspora Rising and many others. From 17 to 21st of February, you can experience film screenings, talks, and art exploring Palestinian histories and decolonial narratives.
The Irish rap group KNEECAP make their origin story into a film filled to the brim with hedonistic adventures and rebellious attitude. Winning critical acclaim, the movie proudly celebrates Irish heritage today. "KNEECAP" will premiere in the German cinemas on January 30th. Felicia Aghaye reports back from the preview.
