Negu Gorriak
Encyclopedia
Negu Gorriak were an underground Basque
Crossover
group. Their musical style combines various styles of rock music such as hardcore punk, hip-hop, ska, and reggae, although it is impossible to separate the band from its political ideology and its identification with the Basque Country
and its language (Euskara).
). Later in 1990, Mikel Anestesia joined them and in 1991, Mikel Bap. This was the complete membership of the group until its dissolution in 1996.
They were completely committed to the political movement, starting with their choice to sing only in Euskera and continuing through their way of work and the message in their songs. They decided to manage themselves and created the record label Esan Ozenki. They performed their first concert in front of Herrera de la Mancha maximum security prison, leading to problems with the government. They were renounced by the Guardia Civil general, Enrique Rodríguez Galindo for the lyrics of the song «Ustelkeria», which accuses the general and the Guardia Civil of being involved in drug trafficking. This was the first time since the end of Franco's regime that the government denounced a form of expression. These charges were dropped in 2001, five years after the group stopped performing together. In honour of their legal victory, the group performed three celebratory concerts to more than 30,000 people.
movement of the 1980s, a genre most similar to punk. Their sound can be identified as a mixture of Basque Radical Rock and American hip-hop. The Basque nationalist movement greatly affected the music and actions of all the members of the group.
Having enjoyed virtually complete political, economic, social and linguistic autonomy throughout its entire existence as a group of people, the Basques were stripped of all of their freedoms when in 1939, Spanish dictator Francisco Franco came into power. Although Franco suppressed basically all Basque culture, it is said that “when General Franco became the dictatorial leader of Spain at the end of the war, he took immediate active steps to eradicate the Basque language. The fledging Basque University (created in 1936) was shut down, books written in Euskara (Basque) were burned, and the language was prohibited in schools, public places, newspapers, and on the radio. All official documents had to be translated into Spanish, and citizens were not allowed to put their Basque names on birth certificates, death certificates or any other legal paperwork.” Upon the death of Franco in 1975 and the eventual signing of the Spanish Constitution in 1978, modern day Basques regained virtually all freedoms they once enjoyed before Franco. All of their songs are in Euskera, and two of the group's members went to adult language school (Euskaltegi
) in order to be able to communicate in their language. This was a strong message to the Basque Nationalist movement, demonstrating the importance of language with regard to identity. The also incorporated traditional Basque instruments into their music, such as the trikitixa
(button accordion).
Negu Gorriak was also heavily influenced by American hip-hop and the African-American community. They considered Public Enemy one of their biggest influences because of their use of militant hip-hop to spread a message to African-Americans. The group related to the oppression of the African-American community because they viewed themselves, as Basques, similarly oppressed. However, when Public Enemy toured Spain, the group was disappointed that they were ignorant to their cause. The popularity of Negu Gorriak was growing at this point throughout the world, and so they turned to other oppressed people who appreciated the ally.
Blatantly criticizing the Spanish government, Negu Gorriak songs condemn police brutality, Spanish institutions like the church, and the past Franco regime. Their song about police brutality called “Corruption” accused the chief of police of San Sebastian of having ties to embezzling drugs. After releasing this song, the group was tried and required to pay 15 million peseta
s (approx. €90,150). Just weeks later the chief of police was convicted of the drug charges. Thus, Negu Gorriak not only use their music to express ideas and opinions, they are also educating the youth about the reality of the Basque Country situation and the restrictive polices of the new government. Thus, despite the overthrow of Franco, there is still a need for the Basque region to express their local pride in form that provides the youth with a sense of identity through the native language and cultural references. The group shows a logo depicting two crossed axes on red background that some people find related to ETA's symbol, made up of a snake winding up an axe. With such a militant message, it is no surprise that the group idolised many black militants including Malcolm X
, making more of a connection with the racist oppression and a marginalised form of expression, hip hop.
For these reasons, Negu Gorriak used hip hop not only to reach the young listeners, but also to make a political radical political statement. On Negu Gorriak’s album Esan Ozenki, the title of the track “Napartheid” (1993) is a pun cross-referencing the discrimination of the Basque culture and people in Navarre
to the system of legalized racism in South Africa. Furthermore, the song continues to pull at racism with the lyrics such as “the white man has invaded our earth. There is no peace, we have unearthed for always the war axe and it will stand until the death ends with us”. These lyrics use the white man to symbolise the threat of Spanish nationalism
and central government domination. Moreover, connecting the apartheid in South Africa with the Spanish political system draws on themes of injustice, racism, and oppression. All of these ideas allow the Basque people, like those of other regions throughout the world, use hip-hop music to make the connection between minority communities worldwide and the black experience in America. Then, the song calls for action against these restrictive institutions by saying, “let’s break the chains imposed by the white man”. This is the very essence of Gorriak’s music, not only creating awareness for the cause but also calling for organisation and action. Thus, they does not make music for commercial purposes; their ability to express their views and the effects of their words motivates their music choices. Subsequently his fan base not only appreciates their music, but also spreads their political views all over the world, views that extend from Basque nationalism to universal messages about social oppression and cultural liberation.
Basque people
The Basques as an ethnic group, primarily inhabit an area traditionally known as the Basque Country , a region that is located around the western end of the Pyrenees on the coast of the Bay of Biscay and straddles parts of north-central Spain and south-western France.The Basques are known in the...
Crossover
Crossover (music)
Crossover is a term applied to musical works or performers appearing on two or more of the record charts which track differing musical tastes, or genres...
group. Their musical style combines various styles of rock music such as hardcore punk, hip-hop, ska, and reggae, although it is impossible to separate the band from its political ideology and its identification with the Basque Country
Basque Country (historical territory)
The Basque Country is the name given to the home of the Basque people in the western Pyrenees that spans the border between France and Spain on the Atlantic coast....
and its language (Euskara).
History
Negu Gorriak was formed in 1990 by the brothers Fermin and Iñigo Muguruza with Kaki Arkarazo (former members of the band KortatuKortatu
Kortatu was a ska punk band from the Basque Country formed in Irun in the summer of 1984.Kortatu was born in the context of the first democracy years in Spain since 1936. They had a big significance for left-wing basque nationalism as precursors of a new wave of music: Basque Radical Rock...
). Later in 1990, Mikel Anestesia joined them and in 1991, Mikel Bap. This was the complete membership of the group until its dissolution in 1996.
They were completely committed to the political movement, starting with their choice to sing only in Euskera and continuing through their way of work and the message in their songs. They decided to manage themselves and created the record label Esan Ozenki. They performed their first concert in front of Herrera de la Mancha maximum security prison, leading to problems with the government. They were renounced by the Guardia Civil general, Enrique Rodríguez Galindo for the lyrics of the song «Ustelkeria», which accuses the general and the Guardia Civil of being involved in drug trafficking. This was the first time since the end of Franco's regime that the government denounced a form of expression. These charges were dropped in 2001, five years after the group stopped performing together. In honour of their legal victory, the group performed three celebratory concerts to more than 30,000 people.
The Music and Basque Nationalism
Negu Gorriak formed at the end of the Basque Radical RockBasque Radical Rock
Basque Radical Rock, was a musical movement born in the Southern Basque Country at the beginning of the 1980s and, although there was no specific event, it is considered to have ended in the last years of the decade...
movement of the 1980s, a genre most similar to punk. Their sound can be identified as a mixture of Basque Radical Rock and American hip-hop. The Basque nationalist movement greatly affected the music and actions of all the members of the group.
Having enjoyed virtually complete political, economic, social and linguistic autonomy throughout its entire existence as a group of people, the Basques were stripped of all of their freedoms when in 1939, Spanish dictator Francisco Franco came into power. Although Franco suppressed basically all Basque culture, it is said that “when General Franco became the dictatorial leader of Spain at the end of the war, he took immediate active steps to eradicate the Basque language. The fledging Basque University (created in 1936) was shut down, books written in Euskara (Basque) were burned, and the language was prohibited in schools, public places, newspapers, and on the radio. All official documents had to be translated into Spanish, and citizens were not allowed to put their Basque names on birth certificates, death certificates or any other legal paperwork.” Upon the death of Franco in 1975 and the eventual signing of the Spanish Constitution in 1978, modern day Basques regained virtually all freedoms they once enjoyed before Franco. All of their songs are in Euskera, and two of the group's members went to adult language school (Euskaltegi
Euskaltegi
An Euskaltegi is a centre for learning the Basque language. They can be either public or private.-See also:* Alfabetatze Euskalduntze Koordinakundea* Helduen Alfabetatze eta Berreuskalduntzerako Erakundea* IKA...
) in order to be able to communicate in their language. This was a strong message to the Basque Nationalist movement, demonstrating the importance of language with regard to identity. The also incorporated traditional Basque instruments into their music, such as the trikitixa
Trikitixa
The trikiti , trikitixa or eskusoinu txiki is a two-row Basque diatonic button accordion with right-hand rows keyed a fifth apart and twelve unisonoric bass buttons...
(button accordion).
Negu Gorriak was also heavily influenced by American hip-hop and the African-American community. They considered Public Enemy one of their biggest influences because of their use of militant hip-hop to spread a message to African-Americans. The group related to the oppression of the African-American community because they viewed themselves, as Basques, similarly oppressed. However, when Public Enemy toured Spain, the group was disappointed that they were ignorant to their cause. The popularity of Negu Gorriak was growing at this point throughout the world, and so they turned to other oppressed people who appreciated the ally.
Blatantly criticizing the Spanish government, Negu Gorriak songs condemn police brutality, Spanish institutions like the church, and the past Franco regime. Their song about police brutality called “Corruption” accused the chief of police of San Sebastian of having ties to embezzling drugs. After releasing this song, the group was tried and required to pay 15 million peseta
Spanish peseta
The peseta was the currency of Spain between 1869 and 2002. Along with the French franc, it was also a de facto currency used in Andorra .- Etymology :...
s (approx. €90,150). Just weeks later the chief of police was convicted of the drug charges. Thus, Negu Gorriak not only use their music to express ideas and opinions, they are also educating the youth about the reality of the Basque Country situation and the restrictive polices of the new government. Thus, despite the overthrow of Franco, there is still a need for the Basque region to express their local pride in form that provides the youth with a sense of identity through the native language and cultural references. The group shows a logo depicting two crossed axes on red background that some people find related to ETA's symbol, made up of a snake winding up an axe. With such a militant message, it is no surprise that the group idolised many black militants including Malcolm X
Malcolm X
Malcolm X , born Malcolm Little and also known as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz , was an African American Muslim minister and human rights activist. To his admirers he was a courageous advocate for the rights of African Americans, a man who indicted white America in the harshest terms for its...
, making more of a connection with the racist oppression and a marginalised form of expression, hip hop.
For these reasons, Negu Gorriak used hip hop not only to reach the young listeners, but also to make a political radical political statement. On Negu Gorriak’s album Esan Ozenki, the title of the track “Napartheid” (1993) is a pun cross-referencing the discrimination of the Basque culture and people in Navarre
Navarre
Navarre , officially the Chartered Community of Navarre is an autonomous community in northern Spain, bordering the Basque Country, La Rioja, and Aragon in Spain and Aquitaine in France...
to the system of legalized racism in South Africa. Furthermore, the song continues to pull at racism with the lyrics such as “the white man has invaded our earth. There is no peace, we have unearthed for always the war axe and it will stand until the death ends with us”. These lyrics use the white man to symbolise the threat of Spanish nationalism
Spanish nationalism
Spanish nationalism is the social, political and ideological movement which has shaped Spain's national identity since the 19th century.Spanish nationalism is not an irredentist nationalism per se, the only territorial revindication identified as actually being "national" as such having been...
and central government domination. Moreover, connecting the apartheid in South Africa with the Spanish political system draws on themes of injustice, racism, and oppression. All of these ideas allow the Basque people, like those of other regions throughout the world, use hip-hop music to make the connection between minority communities worldwide and the black experience in America. Then, the song calls for action against these restrictive institutions by saying, “let’s break the chains imposed by the white man”. This is the very essence of Gorriak’s music, not only creating awareness for the cause but also calling for organisation and action. Thus, they does not make music for commercial purposes; their ability to express their views and the effects of their words motivates their music choices. Subsequently his fan base not only appreciates their music, but also spreads their political views all over the world, views that extend from Basque nationalism to universal messages about social oppression and cultural liberation.
Members
- Fermin MuguruzaFermin MuguruzaFermin Muguruza is a Basque rock musician, singer, songwriter, producer, record label manager, and co-founder for the ska punk band Kortatu, active from 1983 to 1988, and for the crossover group Negu Gorriak, active from 1990 to 1996.He is the brother of musicians Iñigo Muguruza and Jabier...
– lead singerLead vocalistThe lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the... - Iñigo Muguruza – guitaristGuitaristA guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
- Kaki Arkarazo – guitarist
- Mikel Anestesia – bassistBassistA bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
since Gure Jarrera (1991) - Mikel Bap – drummerDrummerA drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
since Gure Jarrera (1991)
Discography
- Negu Gorriak (1990)
- Gure Jarrera (1991)
- Gora Herria (1991)
- Borreroak Baditu Milaka Aurpegi (1993)
- Hipokrisiari Stop! Bilbo 93-X-30 (1994)
- Ideia Zabaldu (1995)
- Ustelkeria (1996)
- Salam, agur (1996)
- 1990-2001 (DVD + Live CD) (2005)