iran

With her upcoming debut solo EP "BiiLINGUAL" German-Iranian singer MADANii turns inward to unpack what it means to reclaim the parts of herself she once tried to hide. It is sung in Farsi and English, emotionally layered, and unapologetically honest. We spoke to the artist about the fire that fuels her, the burden of being misread, and why joy and community are essential to her sound.

The Iranian singer Faravaz will release her debut, "Azadi" (meaning "Freedom" in Farsi), on May 11th. The record recounts the story of her life in exile in Germany because the Iranian government sentenced her to one year in prison for the act of singing as a woman. Choosing to not return to her homeland, Faravaz fights for women’s rights from abroad. Her music is driven by the yearning and fight for liberation from patriarchal oppression.

Zainab Lax's music isn't just a series of notes; it's a journey of self-discovery, cultural fusion, and positive transformation. In our conversation, we unravel her sonic journey, from early harp lessons to practising community music therapy. Join us as we explore the resonance of her sounds and the impact of her innovative initiatives on healing and empowerment.

Annika Henderson, known as Anika created an immersive stage performance as a commissioned work for this year's Pop-Kultur festival. Working with several international and interdisciplinary artists, the project "Lost Voices" gives space to frequencies and voices that are unheard and marginalized by a hetero-patriarchal and capitalist society. She shares thoughts on working with these complex topics.

The Berlin-based neo-pop duo MADANII & LLUCID makes music with a political message that questions stereotypes, representation, and demands space in the Western hegemonic music industry. NBHAP author Liv spoke to the artists about their second EP 3RD 3YE and the interview series ORI3NTATION, which asks where stereotypes regarding the 'Orient' come from and how we can get rid of them.