For a quick rundown of the band’s history, their self-entitled first album “Dubioza Kolektiv” was released in 2004, and was instantly met with an enthusiasm not seen on the Bosnian scene since pre-war times. Next came the ep “Open Wide”, this time featuring dub poet Benjamin Zephaniah and Mush Khan from Fun-da-mental. Then, their second full length cd: “Dubnamite”… and this is when their popularity began to spread beyond borders. By 2008, with the release of “Firma Ilegal”, their bold and uncompromising stand against their nationalist establishment elevated them to fame across the entire Balkan region. One of their most popular songs even made it to the big screen with “Blam”, opening Berlin Golden Bear winner Jasmila Žbanić’s film “Na Putu”. Album number four followed along this logical path as “5 do12”. And, in an open snub to ultra-capitalist music labels and as an expression of commitment to their fans, Dubioza made the album available for free on www.dubioza.org.
It was around this time that Faith No More’s Bill Gould, found the same inspiration from Dubioza Kolektiv. Their fifth album, “Wild, Wild East” was picked up by his label Koolarrow Records and introduced DK on the international stage with worldwide distribution. This was followed by, “Apsurdistan”: released in 2013, was a huge success with more than 300,000 downloads. The video for the featured track “Kažu” was viewed 15 million times on YouTube and their Western Balkans tour sold-out every single venue (and we are talking about large venues here). All of this, along with a relentless approach to touring, has brought DK’s sounds to every corner of Europe.
Which brings us finally to their newest release, “Happy Machine” – aka, the next step forward. As always, the subject matter might be confrontational and challenging, but the music is always catchy as hell, now more than ever. Inspiration developed over two years, largely inspired by events that unfolded over that time – from Istanbul’s Gezi park protests (“All Equal”), the jailing of the founders of The Pirate Bay (“Free.mp3”), the Syrian refugee crisis and Europe’s shameful response to it. More kindred spirits in the music world have jumped on board, with guest appearances by Manu Chao, Benji Webbe from Skindred, Roy Paci, Punjabi singer BEE2, Catalan ska-rumba band La Pegatina and trumpet player Dzambo Agusev from Macedonia. Songs are in English, Spanish, Italian and Punjabi.
By now it’s probably clear that 2016 will be a very productive year for Dubioza Kolektiv: a new album, tours across Europe, including their North American debut at SXSW and tour dates scheduled across the country-and this is just a starting point, because as their history has shown, these guys don’t stop until they achieve their objectives. They were considered No.1 band at this year’s Eurosonic festival, per european festivals votes.
If you’re looking for macho, money-and-ego driven posturing, you won’t find it here; no MTV “rude boy” gangstas, no strippers or bling, no corporate endorsements from the international fashion industry. Rather, they take on traditional musical forms with their unique perspective, shaped by a war that changed their lives forever, and delivered with a level of positivity that hits you like a blast of fresh air. If you are open to the experience, it could change your life too.
PRESS ABOUT DK
“There’s fiery polemic in the lyrics, but it’s all wrapped up in a frantic joie de vivre that’s as infectious as it is unique.” Kerrang! – Paul Travers
“Kick-ass from start to finish, Dubioza Kolektiv marries power and positivity…” PopMatters
“Yeah, the Dubioza Kolektiv really are that good. Damn… Just…Damn…” Mass Movement Magazine
“For those who want a message combined with someof the catchiest beats this side of the Adriatic Sea, look no further than Wild Wild East. The upbeat grooves mixed with traditional melodies make for something truly different and, well, wild.” Consequence Of Sound
“Paaspop 2014: Dubioza Kolektiv is the energy shot that Paaspop needed… the band performs with enthusiasm, energy and humor. The audience is eating out of their hand, and this show should be called a great success… “ 3voor12
“EXIT 2013 Records: Fusion Stage’s attendance record was broken during the performance by Dubioza Kolektiv…“ exitfest.org
“The best thing at Paléo is coming across a band you’d never heard of before, and get totally blown away. This is what happened to me yesterday with Dubioza Kolektiv… “ livinginnyon.com
Democracy
Dubioza Kolektiv Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Owen: Don't, don't, don't live under this dream that the West is going to come in and solve this problem out. Don't dream dreams."
Sudden confront
Aggression on the front
Prime-time human disaser
Big heads never ask
Their filthy ideas
Got the blinded people
Crawl down on their knees
Here's their politic, a big trick
Echo of the gun click
From the white creek
To the black peak
Global distress
Control whole media and press
The time has come for them
To feel the stress
What we saw
People slaughtered
On their doors
Ething cleansing observed
And therefore supported
By UN force
So why the fuck
They were here for?!
General Morillon: "You are now under the protection of the UN forces"
While they live on our life source
Ignorance is ther force
So no remorse
Could it be worse
We've never lived
By our choice
Here's the noise
Of people left with no voice
U.S. eye in the sky
Couldn't be missed by
They watched the whole scene
Today they dare to deny
Democracy with the fake smile
Forces upon whole world to apply
Freedom coma' one day
They planted an evil seed
Used their lie force so it would proceed
Instead of food it grew into hate and greed
Never gave the people what they need
So we better take a lead
We'll never let them change our believes
Use your mind, unity is what we need
We can stop their game
Our lives they're playing with
Mind, mind, mind
Better try to survive
This game full of crime
The truth can't be modified
We all know that the lie
Can't be justified
I will testify
After we suffered genocide
Then we were struck with the urbicide
Lots of them died to get to the other side
Those who survived, almost lost their mind
Recognize, realize, be wise
Clock is ticking away
Time is slipping away
Blood is spilt today
I'll be critical, mystical, lyrical
In the white hall
Blood on the people wall
Who stole the soul of the people
I heard somewhere we're all equal
Guess they don't want us to be free
From here to the deserts
From past to the present
Democracy with the fake smile
Forced upon whole world to apply
While we're living in hypocrisy
Fuck this democracy
The lyrics of Dubioza Kolektiv's song "Democracy" convey a strong message about the failure of democracies to provide justice and equality to all individuals. The song particularly focuses on the demerits of the West's intervention in Bosnia during the 1990s genocide. The song starts with Lord Owen's clear message to the people of Bosnia, stating that they cannot dream of a Western solution to their problems. The song questions the role of the UN and global media in the Bosnian genocide, and questions their claims of democracy with a fake smile.
The song then raises questions about democracy's efficacy by highlighting its failure to prevent the genocide and ensuing urbicide. The lyrics highlight the ignorance and corruption of politicians who care only about their filthy ideas instead of the well-being of their people. The song tackles the issue of freedom under the UN forces' protection, where they have been living on Bosnia's life source while the people of Bosnia have had to suffer. The song proclaims unity as the only means of stopping this injustice and not letting them play with our lives.
Dubioza Kolektiv's "Democracy" reflects the anger and frustration of not only the Bosnian people but all those who have been left to suffer at the hands of politicians whose interests lie elsewhere. It conveys the message of unity and the need for individuals to join hands against injustice.
Line by Line Meaning
Sudden confront
The unexpected confrontation
Aggression on the front
Violent behavior displayed in a conflict
Prime-time human disaster
A catastrophic event involving human lives
Big heads never ask
Those in power never seek the opinion of others
What happens after
The consequences of their actions are never considered
Their filthy ideas
Their immoral and corrupt ideas
Got the blinded people
The uninformed masses are misled by these ideas
Crawl down on their knees
The people submit themselves to those in power
Here's their politic, a big trick
Their politics is deceitful and misleading
Echo of the gun click
The sound of guns being fired as war persists
From the white creek
From the peaceful and serene areas
To the black peak
To the violence-riddled areas
Global distress
The world is in a state of great suffering
Control whole media and press
Those in power have control over the media and press, manipulating information
The time has come for them
It is due time for those in power to face the consequences of their actions
To feel the stress
They should bear the stress and burden they've placed on others
What we saw
The horrible things witnessed
People slaughtered
The widespread killing of innocent people
On their doors
In their own homes
Ething cleansing observed
Ethnic cleansing was witnessed
And therefore supported
It was condoned and supported by those in power
By UN force
Under the control of the United Nations' security forces
So why the fuck
A question regarding the reasons for their presence
They were here for?!
What exactly was their purpose of coming here?
While they live on our life source
While they exploit and benefit from our resources
Ignorance is their force
They thrive on the people's lack of knowledge
So no remorse
They have no regret for their actions
Could it be worse
A rhetorical question if the situation could be worse than it already is
We've never lived by our choice
We've always been at the mercy of those in power
Here's the noise of people left with no voice
The outcry of those people who have no say and are powerless
U.S. eye in the sky
The United States has an eye in the sky, monitoring activities
Couldn't be missed by
They are fully aware of everything that's happening and cannot feign ignorance
They watched the whole scene
They witnessed the entire event
Today they dare to deny
They hypocritically deny any involvement in the conflict
Democracy with the fake smile
They pretend everything is okay and democratic while in reality it's all just a show
Forces upon whole world to apply
Their so-called democracy is being forced onto the whole world
Freedom coma' one day
The hope for true freedom will come one day
They planted an evil seed
Those in power have sown the seeds of greed and hate
Used their lie force so it would proceed
They've used their deceitful tactics to ensure their plan succeeds
Instead of food it grew into hate and greed
Their actions have led to widespread hatred and greed
Never gave the people what they need
Those in power never fulfilled the basic needs of the people
So we better take a lead
It's time to take matters into our own hands
We'll never let them change our beliefs
Our beliefs and values will not be swayed by those in power
Use your mind, unity is what we need
Unity is crucial, and we need to use our minds to achieve it
We can stop their game
We can put an end to the games they're playing
Our lives they're playing with
They are using people's lives as pawns in their game
Mind, mind, mind
The importance of using our brains to analyze the situation
Better try to survive
We need to fight for our survival in this situation
This game full of crime
This situation is marked by criminal activities
The truth can't be modified
The truth is indisputable and cannot be altered
We all know that the lie
Everyone is aware of the lies being spread
Can't be justified
It's impossible to make excuses for these lies
I will testify
A promise to speak the truth
After we suffered genocide
After our people have been systematically eliminated
Then we were struck with the urbicide
The slaughter of people who lived in urban areas
Lots of them died to get to the other side
Many people lost their lives to escape to other areas
Those who survived, almost lost their mind
Survivors suffered severe psychological trauma
Recognize, realize, be wise
We should recognize the truth, realize the situation, and be wise in our actions
Clock is ticking away
Time is running out
Time is slipping away
Time is passing by quickly
Blood is spilt today
There have been multiple deaths today
I'll be critical, mystical, lyrical
I'll analyze things critically, in a mystical manner, and convey it through song lyrics
In the white hall
In the government halls of power
Blood on the people wall
The people are suffering and their blood has been spilled
Who stole the soul of the people
Who is responsible for causing people to suffer so much?
I heard somewhere we're all equal
We're all supposed to be equal, but the reality is different
Guess they don't want us to be free
Those in power don't want us to have our freedom
From here to the deserts
From our current situation to the barren and seemingly uninhabitable deserts
From past to the present
From the days of our ancestors to the current day
Democracy with the fake smile
The illusion of democracy they're trying to feed us
Forced upon whole world to apply
The whole world is being forced to accept this 'democracy'
While we're living in hypocrisy
We're living in a hypocritical society
Fuck this democracy
This fake democracy should be rejected and opposed
Contributed by Jonathan B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.