Rap has had a presence at the OFF Festival since its inception, but this year’s representation is exceptionally strong and international, from Boldy James and The Alchemist to Łona and Kaz Bałagane.
The Alchemist feat. Boldy James
They both enjoy illustrious solo careers, but when they join forces, they change the rules of the game. Hailing from California, producer The Alchemist loves space and psychedelic sounds — a true scene legend who has worked with the likes of Nas, Mobb Deep, Dilated Peoples and Curren$y. Detriot rapper Boldy James, member of the Griselda collective, is direct, unvarnished, and effective. Since their joint 2013 debut My 1st Chemistry Set, the two have been blazing an interesting new path through American rap
Otsochodzi
“Rap: I love it, I hate it,” Otsochodzi announces on a single from the upcoming LP TThe Grind. “I think I’m getting tired of this race.” But Miłosz Stępień a.k.a. Młody Jan’s tracks sound like he’s got nothing but love for the game, and with a decade of performing under his belt, few can step up to challenge him. He’s been hard at work recently with his supergroup OIO alongside Young Igi and Oki, but he still has plenty to say, and he delivers it in a style that’s beyond the reach of most Polish rappers.
Kaz Bałagane
You could pop in a pair of headphones and explore Warsaw with Kaz Bałagan as your audioguide. Fair warning, though: nobody’s going to sell you travel insurance. Jacek Świtalski is one of the most distinctive figures in Polish rap; his 2017 LP Narkopop (2017) became an instant classic and one of the best albums of the 2010s in Poland. Kaz is still writing his personal story: he deservedly won the title of “Most Hardcore Rapper” at the 2023 Popkiller awards following the release of his album B&B Warsaw.
Łona × Konieczny × Krupa
Have you heard this one? Łona gets into a cab… The engines in this vehicle are Andrzej Konieczny and Kacper Krupa of the nujazz band Siema Ziemia, with navigating duties provided by Adam Zieliński, who based his lyrics on conversations with taxi drivers, whose feel for the rhythm of the city is unrivaled. The concept album Taxi, which has earned the trio a slew of awards, from Fryderyks to Popkillers, is an original and wise piece — and it’s fun to dance to, to boot. This show will move your feet as well as your brain.
Ziomcy
This Toruń-based crew debuted in 2021 with the self-titled EP Ziomcy, following up a year later with the full-length Hharmiderr and, recently, the mixtape Dolla. These guys make noise, sow chaos, and draw inspiration from far beyond the rap canon. They march to the beat of their own, alternative drummer.
Yund Adisz
He spent most of his life abroad in Denmark, making his dreary, brutal observations on big-city life more than just a story about Warsaw, where he lives today. Adrian Suchocki is member of the WIFI KLAN and a self-styled master of the style he calls pato-rap. He’s one of the leading voices of Poland’s rap underground, but with a mainstream reach.
