VICKI LEEKX

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time to get political

When I visited Cairo this summer, I had no idea that this would be the reality today. What I saw in front of me coming to this Arab metropol, heavily populated and full of poverty, corruption and injustice, but also friendly people, was a system that was bound to collapse, sooner or later. It seems like there is a critical mass one has to reach, and then, it’s like domino. First Tunisia, then this. Well, enough with the descriptions, it’s time to get political.

I embrace the happenings in Egypt. They are crucial to much needed change in the Middle East. The Middle East is a region full of people with a lot of warmth in them, but it is equally full of intolerance towards things that diverge from what is considered normal. This is, ironically enough, often more acknowledged by people inhabiting the actual region than people in the Western World defending human rights. Somehow, there is a fear of criticising the Middle East. Why? I have no idea. And to add clarity, it’s not about criticising the actual region as a whole or the people living it, it’s about criticising authoritarian rules, dictatorships and what often can be considered to be total negligence towards human rights.

Political prisoners, restrictions of freedom of speech, persecution and harassment of people in the LGBT community, absolute poverty, an absence of a fair social security system. This is the reality in Egypt. Face it. It needs change. You can not build a state on having a state of emergency as a base for 30 years. It just doesn’t work that way. At some point, the reaction comes.

What I noticed whilst I was in Egypt was that everybody wanted change. A clear way doesn’t exist, the only thing people agree upon is the notion that they want to get rid of the current rule, which is completely understandable. Mubaraks rule is not justified in any way, the demonstrations are just one sign of this. Mubarak needs to resign and set up fair elections, otherwise he’s never going to get control over the situation. What has happened now is historical and I do hope this causes reactions in other Middle Eastern countries, who just as much need change. What we are witnessing now is the expression of 30, for some people 50, years of ruling.

Egypt is a country of great potential, but the unjustified and unjust ruling has destroyed a lot of that potential. It’s time to build up the country again, on fair grounds.

POWER TO THE PEOPLE

سلام

my year in music

2011 already here, I’ll try to summarise the musical parts of my life last year (which, in fact, is quite a substantial bit).

Yeeees, this was originally intended to be posted before 2011, but other things came in my way, like moving to Paris.

M.I.A. – /\/\ /\ Y /\

This album recieved mixed reviews from critics. Some hailed it to such wonderful heights, some considered it to be rubbish. I landed in the previous camp. At first, I found it distant and hard to put down in any box, later, I fell completely in love with it. I read an article somewhere where M.I.A. somehow described it like being some kind of electro punk for the digital age. I completely agree. ‘Meds and Feds’, all I need to say. It is t h e electro punk song this year. ‘XXXO’ has been a staple in my playlists, ‘Steppin’ Up’ came creeping and then conquered my mind. Noice pop, Sleigh Bells, in all due respect, but this year, M.I.A. took it. You just can’t compete.

Lady Gaga – The Fame Monster/The Fame/The Monster Ball Tour

You might call her superficial, you might call her commercial, you might call her unoriginal, but I won’t agree. True that her music is appealing to enormous masses and that it’s sometimes bubbly electro pop with no apparent soul, but she’s so much more. The girl has talent, I doubt anyone will speak against that. In addition, she has showed courage in the fight for LGBT rights and so, so much more. I think she’s so much more than just an artist. Oh, and by the way, she owned this year. And 2009.

Robyn – Body Talk

This year, I think Robyn has showed us all that she is one of those artists who just continue to deliver those wonderful tunes, album after album. Three albums in one year, not just one. I hope that she now gets the big big breakthrough she really deserves. And I just don’t know what to write more cause she’s just so cool.

The Concretes – WYWH

The Concretes, my youth love. Well, they might not be Diana Ross or the Chosen Ones anymore, but my favourite ‘Didion’ from 2007’s ‘Hey Trouble’ sure got a continuation. ‘WYWH’, which is the name of their new album is something like disco music for people who are too cool to dance (or too lazy). The perfect lounge music for practically any occasion. Now, musically, there’s nothing groundbreaking with this album, but it’s just that they are soo cool. So incredibly cool.

Oni Ayhun/Fever Ray

The Dreijers are my biggest single musical inspiration. I don’t need to say more than that.

iamamiwhoami

Interesting concept, good music, fantastic videos. I like it.

I think I’m done now. And no, I’m not going to namedrop a bunch of other random hip artists just to seem cool. That’s just pathetic. Sometimes I listen to Spice Girls, there you have it.

Love