Can pop music change the world? Of course, the world has long since become pop. Can pop make the world a better place? So far there is no sign of it. But: Pop brings the world together. Few people demonstrate this adhesive power as powerfully as Roger Rekless. The hip-hopper, presenter and author is not only Munich’s Superman with the Hamburg Arena Allstars Dyke childi.e. your stage giants at concerts (again on December 3rd in the Olympiahalle) and your yodeling, paddling Bavarians Videos like “In Nature”. Rekless, or David Mayonga, as his real name is, also wants to unite the whole society – and he does that by highlighting its divide. In his book “A Negro may not sit next to me” as well as in rap pieces, he exposes the unreasonable demands on Afro-Germans in this country.
He seemed more confident. But on his album “Melatonin” – for him the dark skin pigments symbolize ethnically marginalized people – the 43-year-old now writes about “real feelings such as anger, despair and sadness” from his soul. His view of “black life in Germany” is bleak: “No justice, no peace / enemy or ally?” As is his wont, Rekless has gathered an alliance around him. For example Horst Wegenerwith whom he will be giving a concert at Milla on Wednesday, March 6th.
Wegener is a self-made rapper from Wuppertal, and if you say that he doesn’t look like a Horst, that’s no mean everyday racism. “I don’t know anyone in the entire republic / Who doesn’t struggle because he’s different here, like me / Have you ever looked in the mirror / And thought that it’s easier here with your skin? / Because you “You are privileged because you are who you are,” Wegener raps in “Werden 12/12”, a powerful, important song in the circle of friends-Style.
And Roger Rekless takes over: “Brother, I’m also looking for a solution, unfortunately for a few years more / The last time I was beaten by Nazis was a few years ago / But the last comment and the insults are fresh.” And the Munich soul sensation Ami Warning conciliatory: “When does the person count, not their skin? / I keep believing / That at some point everything can be okay.” Oh, if only Pop could do that, at least (even without Ami) for one evening at Milla.
Judas Priest will be coming to the Olympiahalle on March 25th with their new album “Invincible Shield”.
(Photo: James Hodges)
Worlds come together at the stage premiere of Nitchthe casual synth-pop band from Franz Ferdinand-Guitarist Nick McCarthy and resident actor Niklas Mitteregger (March 12, Fat Cat). And at least crowds of people unite in their love for their favorites in the Olympiahalle, where there are quite a few big concerts coming up in March: at James Bluntthe former British soldier in the Kosovo war, the couple cuddle (March 9). Contra K goes “For heaven through hell” (March 10), while his rap colleague Bushido After the big legal dispute, the courtroom finally swaps with the music stage again (March 23rd). His solo effort by Harry Styles and the others one direction enjoy Niall Horan (March, 20th). TikTok God Jason Derulo appears in the flesh (March 26). And Rob Haldford from Judas Priest is to be applauded once again for being one of the first to come out in the ultra-conservative heavy metal environment in 1998 (March 25th).