Skibkhan – Punchlines and Metaphors from Dhaka

Show notes

In this episode of «Long Take: Life as an Artist», we meet Bangladeshi rapper Skibkhan, a member of the pioneering hip hop crew Deshi MCs. He delves into the creative process behind his lyrics and explores his role and responsibilities as a rapper in Dhaka. Listen to this episode on Spotify or YouTube.

Bangladeshi rapper Khan M Sayeed, popularly known as Skibkhan, strives to pack as many words into a bar as possible while keeping his lines simple and not overly complex. As a founding member of Deshi MCs, the group credited with introducing ‘Bangla Gangsta Rap’ and hip-hop to Bangladesh, Skibkhan has played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s music scene.

In the interview, he reflects on how to deliver clear and impactful messages without unnecessarily offending minority groups, emphasizing that freedom of speech should not turn into hate speech. He shares his observations on class conflicts in Bangladesh from a middle-class perspective and discusses how reading Bangla poetry—an inspiration from his grandmother, a poet—has helped him expand his vocabulary.

Skibkhan also opens up about his journey in the music industry, the challenges he has faced, and his aspirations for the future. This interview was conducted while Sheikh Hasina, who ruled Bangladesh with an iron fist for 15 years, was still in power. Her presidency ended in August 2024 when she fled to India following massive protests against her regime.

A Podcast by Norient

Host: Thomas Burkhalter
Sound: Daniel Jakob, Melodies In My Head
Mix and Mastering: Daniel Jakob
Graphic Design (Cover): Pamuditha Zen Anjana
Editorial support: The Norient team + Rebecca Favale
Support in Dhaka: Kazi Tahsin Agaz Apurb
Funding: Pro Helvetia, srks Stiftung für Radio und Kultur Schweiz

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For a more experimental listening experience, check out the highly produced podcast TIMEZONES on Norient. You can also explore Burkhalter’s latest project, Melodies In My Head, where interview excerpts are transformed into song lyrics.