While it is true that along with the local sounds of the Balkans, there was a mix of musical influences from around the world such as ska, punk, reggae, electronic and hip-hop, on the other hand, there was no music industry, there were few concerts and no room for cultural or political expression among the young: the whole region was enveloped by a deep moral and economic stagnation.
But it was from a similar background that Dubioza Kolektiv was born, screaming and kicking. And they demanded to be heard. Since then the band has gone on stronger than ever, establishing itself as one of the best and most famous live performances in Eastern Europe.
For a quick rundown of the band’s history, their first self-produced album Dubioza Kolektiv was released in 2004, and immediately met the enthusiasm of the public, as not seen on the Bosnian scene since pre-war times. Following the Open Wide ep, this time with dub poet Benjamin Zephaniah and Mush Khan of Fun-da-menta.
The second album, Dubnamite, marks the debut of their popularity that begins to spread beyond the borders. In 2008, with the release of Firma Ilegal, their iron stance against the nationalist establishment led them to fame throughout the Balkan region.
One of their most popular songs came on the big screen with “Blam“, opening the film “Na Putu” by Berlin Golden Bear winner Jasmila Žbanić.
The album number four, 5 do12, was made available for free on www.dubioza.org as a sign of open affront to ultra-capitalist music labels, as well as an expression of commitment to fans.
It was during this time that Bill Gould of Faith No More produced their fifth album, Wild, Wild East under the Koolarrow Records label, thus introducing DK on the world-wide international stage.
Later the album Apsurdistan, released in 2013, was a huge success, with over 300,000 downloads. The video for the song “Kažu” has been watched 15 million times on YouTube and their tour in the Western Balkans has been sold out in every single event. All this, combined with a relentless tour approach, has brought the sounds of Dubioza Kolektiv to every corner of Europe.
This brings us to Happy Machine, inspired in large part by the events that have taken place over time – from the protests in Istanbul’s Gezi Park (“All Equal”), to the prison of the founders of The Pirate Bay (“Free.mp3”)and the shameful response of Europe. Happy Machine is probably their most provocative album to date. Other kindred spirits in the music world joined the cause, with appearances by Manu Chao, Benji Webbe of Skindred, Roy Paci, Punjabi singer BEE2, Catalan ska-rumba band La Pegatina and trumpeter Dzambo Agusev from Macedonia. The songs are in English, Spanish, Italian and Punjabi.
Their latest album, Agrikultura, released in May 2022 is available for free download on the band’s website.
No macho attitudes, money and ego; no MTV “rude boy” gangsters, no strippers and spangles, no sponsorships from the international fashion industry; as much as a musical experience made of traditional musical forms shaped by a war that changed their lives forever, forging them with a charge of positivity that strikes you like a breath of fresh air. And who knows, it could change your life too. These are the Dubioza Kolektivs.