BalkanBeats

an oral history

Robert Šoko & Robert Rigney

“Hardcore anthropology writing – on drugs! Finally, an inside look at the BalkanBeats craze. Thank you for filling the gap.”

Christoph Borkowsky
CEO, Piranha Arts & WOMEX, Berlin

at a glance

this is a true story.

– BalkanBeats DJ Robert Šoko and music journalist Robert Rigney have put together the highly compelling Balkan Beats – An Oral History looking back on 30 years of Balkan music madness in Berlin, New York, Istanbul, Tokyo…

– It is a rare portrait of a battle with prejudices, traumas and addictions, written in a rock’n’roll style; casual, anecdotal, witty.

– From articles, memories and interviews with over 130 artists, a fascinating portrait of a scene emerges that at its peak aspired to be “the new rock’n’roll”.

INFO

PAPERBACK

- 450 pages
- 13 x 21 cm
- english

shop

19,90 €

e-BOOK

- reflowable
- online shops
- english

shops

6,90 €

publication date 28.04.2025
ISBN 978-3-00-082600-9
contact: balkan.beats@berlin.de
© Robert Šoko & Robert Rigney, 2025
BalkanBeats Records | Berlin Germany

BalkanBeats

- an oral history -

– 450 pages of madness –
by Robert Šoko & Robert Rigney

this is a true story.

at a glance

BalkanBeats DJ Robert Šoko and music journalist Robert Rigney have put together the highly compelling Balkan Beats – An Oral History looking back on 30 years of Balkan music madness in Berlin, New York, Istanbul, Tokyo – and beyond.
Figures like Goran Bregović, Shantel and Eugene Hütz weigh in on the last real World Music scene before Covid put a damper on things – a musical style and dance-floor movement which gave techno a run for its money and at its peak aspired to be “the new punk”. It was also the first global pop culture phenomenon that began in the East and made its way West.

It is a rare portrait of a battle with prejudices, traumas and addictions, written in a rock’n’roll style; casual, anecdotal, witty. It is at the same time a beguiling cacophony of many voices weighing in on a style of music that, in the words of Balkan Beat Box saxophonist Ori Kaplan, strove for a “middle ground between the mechanical and the soul, between electronic and hard-core authentic folk music,” for people who were “tired of corporate must-sell approach” and “hungry for really sweaty, personal, alcohol-driven, familiar, ceremony-like music.”
From articles, memories and interviews with over 130 artists, a fascinating portrait of a scene emerges that at its peak aspired to be “the new rock’n’roll”.

“Hardcore anthropology writing - on drugs! Finally, an inside look at the Balkan Beats craze, from Yugo-land to Yugo-wars to Yugo-diaspora. Thank you for filling the gap.”

A gem for anyone who appreciates stories of resilience, expression, and cultural fusion — with a touch of madness.

A great book that thrilled me from start to finish - absolutely worth reading!

about us

ROBERT RIGNEY

Robert Rigney is an American journalist from West Berlin who early on felt the “Drang nach (Süd-) Osten”. Since the fall of the Wall he has been journeying ever eastwards and ever southwards. Around 2000 he caught the Balkan bug and started writing about Balkan Gypsy music for publications including Songlines, The Wire, TAZ and Christian Science Monitor. Based in Berlin, he lived for a stint in Prague and Istanbul. He currently divides his time between Berlin and Southeast Turkey.

ROBERT ŠOKO

Robert Šoko, was one of the first DJ‘s to drop Balkan brass into the European night club scene back in the nineties. He named it BalkanBeats Party. Born and bred in Bosnia he came to the Yugo “Promised Land” of Germany in 1990, took a job as cab driver while DJing in a Kreuzberg punk bar for 50 DM and free beer. The parties quickly snowballed, taking on an international dimension, as Soko brought the sound of the Balkans to club dance floors from Osaka to Oaxaca. He is also an occasional shepherd.

aroused?

~ CHECK IT OUT ~

19,90 € – Paperback: 450 pages | english | 13 x 21 cm | cream paper
6,90 € – eBook: reflowable | english | available in digital stores worldwide
ISBN 978-3-00-082600-9
publication date: 28.04.2025

BalkanBeats Records | Berlin Germany

Email Address

balkan.beats@berlin.de

Call Us

tel: +49 30 548 15 400

this is a true story.

INFO

PAPERBACK

e-BOOK

this is a true story.

about us

ROBERT RIGNEY

ROBERT ŠOKO

aroused?

~ CHECK IT OUT ~

BalkanBeats Records | Berlin Germany

Email Address

Call Us

HEY HONEY

DON't forget your book!