queer

Mad Kate | The Tide is a three-musician neo punk band hailing from Berlin, exploring hard and soft melodies, ambient sounds and spoken word, costume and performance, sexuality and other societal matters, and now releasing their new album "Stage and Bedroom". Nadia Says asked the singer, Mad Kate, a few questions about the genesis of the album. 

FAYIM, born Sidney, is a German-Ghanaian singer-songwriter based in Berlin. His music blends R&B, pop, soul, gospel, and jazz, marked by ethereal melodies and effervescent vocals. He has performed with artists such as Noah Slee, K.ZIA, MAX&JOY, Lary and is a member of Berlin’s vocal ensemble 'A Song For You'. We sat down to discuss the release of his debut EP, "FOKUS".

The Vancouver-based rapper Kimmortal makes music that challenges the status quo of the music industry and colonial capitalist frameworks. Their recent release "sunniest of days" is about navigating the tension of witnessing the injustices and genocides being committed across the globe, while holding space for personal happiness. Ahead of their show in Berlin on 17 September, we spoke to Kimmortal about their musical journey.

The New Delhi-based rapper and producer Kinari recently released her new project "BADDUA". Ilo Toerkell spoke to the artist about the diverse range of influences she draws from, including traditional Indian and Tamil sounds, hip-hop and Ballroom beats, her relationship to faith, and how the district Dilli 17 of her hometown has shaped her creative output.

The rapper Enana and DJ/producer mx.pinky merged their creative energy to create the EP "Becoming." It is the debut release on exude records - a label and event series by and for trans artists. Ilo Toerkell met Enana and mx.pinky to chat about their collaboration, allowing joy regardless of the repressive climate that trans and other marginalized people face, and why we need more T4T spaces.

The Berlin-based festival for new Anatolian music, İÇ İÇE lost their funding as part of the massive budget cuts imposed by the German government. Now, the festival needs donations to take place this year. Author Öykü Naz Gümüş wrote about the importance of preserving a festival, which has become a unique meeting-point for queer and BiPoC people in Berlin.

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.

Berlin-based singer AKA Kelzz just released their debut record, "Odyssey". On it, they break boxes and express themselves authentically. Author Anna Grubauer met the artist to talk about their musical journey, the importance of talking about mental health struggles, and how they danced and cried throughout the recording.