Since I posted a few classic songs to this blog, I would be short-sticking Macedonia if I did not add a few songs that are a bit more contemporary.
Of course, popular songs produced by Macedonian artists reflected the popular styles of music over the past few decades. Based on my conversation with others, Macedonia and the rest of Yugoslavia had a golden age of music during the 1980s with plenty of rock hits. One of my favorite bands from the 1980s-1990s era is Kuku Lele (songs will be hyper-linked throughout this post), which I was lucky to hear at a wine festival this past October.
One of the things I was surprised to discover is that Macedonians seem to really enjoy Ska. Ska songs are typically played a few times on the radio, and at Pivo Fest last year there was a ska band that played. One of our local bands, the Hounds, also regularly covers a Ska version of "Take on Me." The first Macedonian song that I really enjoyed upon my arrival was Africa by Superhiks, which is a tribute to the Roma people and their struggle in this country.
So based on the last post, some of you may wonder, what is Turbo Folk? As I mentioned, most of the popular Turbo Folk songs originate from Serbia, as this random search on Youtube shows. However, the problem for us Americans is that any pop Serbian song with a beat sounds like Turbo Folk to us. One of the reasons why clubs in Macedonia aren't the most entertaining for foreigners is that Serbian pop songs by artists like Ceca and Severina are played late at night. When we do not understand the language, all of the Serbian pop songs sound the same, and most Macedonian youth don't break out in dance when the songs play, but rather just sing along.
But Macedonia has released some very artistic songs in the past few years. Karolina Goceva reminds me of a Norah Jones with a Macedonian twist.
Finally, no blog post about modern Macedonian hits would be complete without a small shout-out to Tose Proeski. Tose was a huge Macedonian star who was popular throughout the Balkans. Born in Prilep, he later moved to Krusevo (where his museum stands). He is of Vlach origin, and his songs are sung in many languages, including Serbian, English, and even one in Roma. Unfortunately, at the height of his career, he was killed in a motor accident while traveling in Croatia. Since then, many Macedonians idolize him. To us Americans, it seemed very strange that so many people worshiped him with pictures hanging in shops and hanging from rear view mirrors, etc. (Some may remember the woman I met in Veles during PST who had his picture everywhere in her office, including next to an icon of Jesus and Mary). An American can only think of comparing this idolization to Kurt Cobain or Whitney Houston. However, Tose rose to prominence about a decade from Macedonia's independence, and given all of the struggles that Macedonia faced to that point, his fame may have given hope to a country which by some countries will not even be recognized by its name. Tose was also a very giving celebrity, dedicating much of his time to charity and fighting for various causes. Since then, no Macedonian singer has experienced the same prominence throughout the world.
Of course, popular songs produced by Macedonian artists reflected the popular styles of music over the past few decades. Based on my conversation with others, Macedonia and the rest of Yugoslavia had a golden age of music during the 1980s with plenty of rock hits. One of my favorite bands from the 1980s-1990s era is Kuku Lele (songs will be hyper-linked throughout this post), which I was lucky to hear at a wine festival this past October.
One of the things I was surprised to discover is that Macedonians seem to really enjoy Ska. Ska songs are typically played a few times on the radio, and at Pivo Fest last year there was a ska band that played. One of our local bands, the Hounds, also regularly covers a Ska version of "Take on Me." The first Macedonian song that I really enjoyed upon my arrival was Africa by Superhiks, which is a tribute to the Roma people and their struggle in this country.
So based on the last post, some of you may wonder, what is Turbo Folk? As I mentioned, most of the popular Turbo Folk songs originate from Serbia, as this random search on Youtube shows. However, the problem for us Americans is that any pop Serbian song with a beat sounds like Turbo Folk to us. One of the reasons why clubs in Macedonia aren't the most entertaining for foreigners is that Serbian pop songs by artists like Ceca and Severina are played late at night. When we do not understand the language, all of the Serbian pop songs sound the same, and most Macedonian youth don't break out in dance when the songs play, but rather just sing along.
But Macedonia has released some very artistic songs in the past few years. Karolina Goceva reminds me of a Norah Jones with a Macedonian twist.
Finally, no blog post about modern Macedonian hits would be complete without a small shout-out to Tose Proeski. Tose was a huge Macedonian star who was popular throughout the Balkans. Born in Prilep, he later moved to Krusevo (where his museum stands). He is of Vlach origin, and his songs are sung in many languages, including Serbian, English, and even one in Roma. Unfortunately, at the height of his career, he was killed in a motor accident while traveling in Croatia. Since then, many Macedonians idolize him. To us Americans, it seemed very strange that so many people worshiped him with pictures hanging in shops and hanging from rear view mirrors, etc. (Some may remember the woman I met in Veles during PST who had his picture everywhere in her office, including next to an icon of Jesus and Mary). An American can only think of comparing this idolization to Kurt Cobain or Whitney Houston. However, Tose rose to prominence about a decade from Macedonia's independence, and given all of the struggles that Macedonia faced to that point, his fame may have given hope to a country which by some countries will not even be recognized by its name. Tose was also a very giving celebrity, dedicating much of his time to charity and fighting for various causes. Since then, no Macedonian singer has experienced the same prominence throughout the world.
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