Gipsy.cz | |
|---|---|
 Gipsy.cz performing in 2007 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Czech Republic |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Labels | |
| Members | Radek Banga Tomáš Baroš Jan Sochor Viliam Didiáš |
| Past members | Vojta Lavička Noemi Fialová Tibor Žida Matěj Černý Oliver Lipenský Petr Surmaj Jan Surmaj |
| Website | gipsy |
Gipsy.cz is a CzechRomanihip hop group. They performed at theGlastonbury Festival in 2007 and represented their country at theEurovision Song Contest 2009 inMoscow, with the song "Aven Romale". The band plays a combination of hip hop and traditionalRomani music, sung primarily in theRomani language, with some lyrics in Czech and English. As of 2013, they have released four studio albums.
In 2004, rapper Radovan "Radek" Banga released the solo albumYa favourite Cd Rom and later met violinist Vojta Lavička and brothers Jan (upright bass) and Petr Surmaj (guitar and accordion), with whom he formed the group Gipsy.cz. They rose to fame in 2006 with the single "Romano Hip Hop", from the album of the same name, which reached theMTV World Chart Express[1] and was later certified Gold in the Czech Republic.[1] Also in 2006, the band won Discovery of the Year at theAnděl Awards.[2][3]
In 2007, they took part in theCzech preliminary round for the Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Muloland", but only reached second place. Later that year, Gipsy.cz was the first Czech group to perform at theGlastonbury Festival.[4] Additionally, their song "Jednou" was included on theGypsy Groove compilation album published byPutumayo in 2007.[5]
At the 2008Český slavík, they won the Rising Star of the Year award.[6][7]
In June 2008, Gipsy.cz released their second studio album,Reprezent. It reached second place on the World Music Chart in Europe, remaining there for four weeks. The song "A na závěr si s námi dejte trochu té Čunárny" stimulated discussion, as the title and lyrics mocked politicianJiří Čunek, who is known for his anti-Roma comments. In order to avoid a possible lawsuit, Gipsy.cz eventually released an alternate version of the song, without the offending lyrics.[1]
The band took part in theCzech preliminary round for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2008, but again failed to qualify.
Jan and Petr Surmaj left Gipsy.cz in January 2009, and after filling out the vacant musical seats, the band finally succeeded in their repeated attempts to represent the Czech Republic at theEurovision Song Contest inMoscow, Russia, with their song "Aven Romale".[8] They finished last in the first semi-final,without receiving a single point.
In February and March 2011, Gipsy.cz toured Australia as part of the Karavan Festival.[9] In April of the same year, their third studio album,Desperado, was released. Two years later, the band issued their fourth record,Upgrade.
| Romano Hip Hop | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by Gipsy.cz | ||||
| Released | 20 November 2006 | |||
| Label | Indies Scope | |||
| Gipsy.cz chronology | ||||
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Current
Past
| Reprezent | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by Gipsy.cz | ||||
| Released | 5 June 2008 | |||
| Label | Indies Scope | |||
| Gipsy.cz chronology | ||||
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| International | |
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| National | |
| Artists | |
