Czech hip-hop

Hip-hop subculture emerged in the Czech Republic after the Velvet Revolution in 1989.[1] Since then, various groups, clubs, and festivals have appeared across the country. Notable hip-hop artists include Chaozz, Gipsy.cz, Naše Věc, Prago Union, Řezník, and DJ Wich.[2]

History

1980s and 1990s

Hip-hop culture, or rapping as a vocal component of hip-hop, has been developing in Czechoslovakia since the 1980s, mainly in large cities such as Prague, Brno, and Plzeň.[3] The first instance of what can be called hip-hop in the country is attributed to Lesík Hajdovský and his band Manželé, with their 1985 hit song "Jižák".[3] The track gained renewed popularity in the mid-1990s, when it was remixed by the hip-hop group Peneři strýčka Homeboye.[3]

Among early adopters of the genre were Piráti, a band from Hradec Králové, active from 1988 to 1991, who combined hip-hop with rock.[4] Following the 1989 Velvet Revolution, the Prague-based award-winning group J.A.R. performed a blend of hip-hop, rock, and funk, remaining active to the present day.[5] The trio Rapmasters, active for a decade starting in 1989, fused hip-hop with dance,[6] releasing five studio albums during their career. The group WWW issued their first demo in 1993, and they have remained active to this day.[7]

One of the most popular groups of the genre are Chaozz, active from 1995 until 2002 and again since 2017,[8] who spun off the duo Prago Union in 2002.[9] The group Syndrom Snopp formed in 1997 and disbanded in 2006. The duo Indy & Wich formed in 1998 and remained active until 2006, putting out two studio albums.[10] 1998 also saw the creation of Pio Squad, a hip-hop group based in the city of Jihlava. Naše Věc, a group based in Brno, released two studio albums between 1997 and 2006. The eastern city of Zlín saw the birth of DeFuckTo, active from 1999 to 2016.[11]

2000s–present

The Prague-based hip-hop duo Supercrooo formed in 2004 and released several albums before disbanding in 2007.[12] 2004 witnessed the formation of the Romani hip-hop group Gipsy.cz, active to the present, as well as initial activity by the rapper Řezník.

Festivals

See also: List of hip hop music festivals
  • Hip Hop Kemp is a former annual international hip-hop festival held in Hradec Králové. Established in 2002, it was considered one of the largest events of its kind in Europe. The last edition took place in 2019.[13]
  • Urban Rapublic was a Czech and German hip hop and reggae festival held annually in June.[14]

Notable artists

  • Lvcas Dope
  • Marpo
  • MC Gey
  • Michajlov
  • Naše Věc
  • Nik Tendo
  • Orion
  • Paulie Garand
  • Peneři strýčka Homeboye
  • Pio Squad
  • Prago Union
  • Rapmasters
  • Rest
  • Řezník
  • Rigor Mortiz
  • Schyzo
  • Sergei Barracuda
  • Sharlota
  • Smack One
  • Supercrooo
  • Syndrom Snopp
  • Tyler Durden
  • Viktor Sheen
  • Vladimir 518
  • WWW
  • Yzomandias

References

  1. ^ Goldsmith, Melissa Ursula Dawn; Fonseca, Anthony J. (December 2018). Hip Hop around the World: An Encyclopedia [2 volumes]. Bloomsbury Publishing USA. p. 1779. ISBN 979-8-216-09618-4.
  2. ^ "The rising Czech rappers making a name for themselves in Leeds". 12 April 2021.
  3. ^ a b c Kičinko, Petr (2019). Hip hop v Československu a v České republice (PDF) (Thesis). Brno: Janáčkova akademie múzických umění v Brně.
  4. ^ "Piráti". ceskatelevize.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  5. ^ Bukáčková, Hana (13 November 2019). "J.A.R. – Byli jsme na správným místě ve správný čas" [J.A.R. – We were in the right place at the right time]. musicserver.cz (in Czech). IMEG. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  6. ^ "Rapmasters". george83.txt.cz (in Czech). Archived from the original on 4 October 2008. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  7. ^ "Letošní Cenu Revolver Revue získají experimentující hiphopeři WWW" [This year's Revolver Revue Award will be awarded to experimental hip-hop artists WWW]. iDNES.cz (in Czech). 20 February 2010. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  8. ^ "Audio: Chaozz má po šestnácti letech novou skladbu Průvan. Láká s ní do Fora Karlín" [AUDIO: Chaozz Have a New Song, Průvan, After Sixteen Years. They Lure Us to Karlín Forum with It]. ireport.cz (in Czech). 17 May 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  9. ^ "Prago Union: Před inspirací se neschováme" [Prago Union: We will not hide from inspiration]. iDNES.cz (in Czech). 8 November 2005. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  10. ^ "Indy & Wich – Všichni jsou najednou vostrý" [Indy & Wich – Everyone is suddenly angry]. musicserver.cz (in Czech). 29 December 2005. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  11. ^ "DeFuckTo". discogs.com. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  12. ^ "Vesmírny rozhovor so SuperCrooo" [Space interview with Supercrooo]. hip-hop.sk (in Slovak). 9 March 2005. Archived from the original on 26 June 2007. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  13. ^ "Hip Hop Kemp – Festival with Atmosphere! – Hip Hop KempFestival History". hiphopkemp.de. Retrieved 18 February 2014.
  14. ^ "Fotky z Urban Rapublic – Sobota" [Photos from Urban Rapublic – Saturday]. ireport.cz (in Czech). 1 July 2005. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
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