Hungarian rappers criticize Orban’s government

By Anita Komuves and Krisztina Fenyo

BUDAPEST (Reuters) – “Long live the peace mission!” Hungarian rapper De:Nash shouted sarcastically from a festival stage as he lambasted oligarchs, corruption and Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s friendly relations with Russia in a fiery series of rhymes.

The crowd cheered back enthusiastically, enjoying the barrage of public political abuse in a country ruled by Orban and his Fidesz party since 2010.

The blond rapper’s main target was his prime minister’s trip to Russian President Vladimir Putin in July – a visit that Orban described as a “peace mission” and that angered some European Union leaders who warned against an appeasement policy toward Moscow.

Orban’s government defended the trip, saying it was an important step towards resolving the conflict in Ukraine. His party remains the dominant force. But the more media-savvy opposition parties are also becoming louder.

This is also reflected in pop culture: a wave of rappers have directed their performances and social media accounts against the state.

De:Nash said he began to become more political after watching the 2019 European Parliament elections and what he saw as overly negative and aggressive rhetoric from the government.

“I wanted to draw attention to how unhealthy and aggressive the messages were that were being spread on the streets. I have been doing the same thing ever since,” said the 28-year-old.

A year earlier, another rapper named Krubi rose to fame with a vulgar song in which he satirically accused Orban of performing sexual acts on one of his predecessors as prime minister, Ferenc Gyurcsany, suggesting that although they were officially rivals, they were closely connected and members of the elite.

“I decided not to censor myself. If I have a political idea, I put it into the lyrics like everything else,” said the 29-year-old.

“MANY PEOPLE ARE TIRED”

The government has made little public comment on its music critics – a Hungarian government spokesman did not immediately respond to Reuters’ questions about this article.

Some government supporters and experts were critical. The rappers’ songs were not played on state-run Petöfi Radio or on public television, said Emilia Barna, a sociologist at the Technical University of Budapest. Some of the artists also said they had not received sponsorship contracts or performances.

“But they don’t necessarily need these resources,” Barna told Reuters. Online streaming services and festivals give them the attention they need.

This is a remarkable development in a country where until recently many musicians derived much of their income from generous, state-supported arts programs and events, she said.

Four years after Orban came to power, his government launched a state support program for pop music that “very quickly” made the majority of musicians dependent on the government, Barna said.

In May, 22-year-old rapper Azahriah – a first for a Hungarian musician – performed three sold-out concerts at the Budapest Arena, the capital’s largest stadium, without any support or promotion in state media.

“Young fans are drawn to the show by their own frustration with politics,” said people in the crowd at De:Nash’s festival appearance in July.

“Many people are tired of this situation, that things are not moving forward,” said Marcell Bete, a communication and media student at Corvinus University.

“De:Nash is trying to use humor and music to lure people out of this state. That could encourage them to get involved in politics.”

(Reporting by Anita Komuves; Editing by Andrew Heavens)