Released on 28 October on all streaming platforms, the song blends traditional Polish folk tunes with contemporary hip-hop beats, featuring traditional folk instruments.
Sounds of the Carpathians in hip-hop rhythm
Daga encouraged listeners to experience the unique fusion of folk and hip-hop.
The collaboration began after Subcarpați’s producer, Marius Andrei Alexe, known as Bean MC, expressed his fascination with Polish folk music.
The single also features the voice of Apolonia Nowak, a living legend of Polish folk music, bridging generations and musical traditions.
The accompanying music video was filmed in the picturesque village of Breb, in Romania’s Maramureș region, with traditional dancers and musicians contributing to the rich cultural tapestry.
Marius Andrei Alexe (Bean MC), leader of the Romanian hip-hop group Subcarpați (photo: R.Ungureanu)
Dagadana and Subcarpați will perform the song live on 30 November at Subcarpați’s birthday concert in Bucharest’s Arenele Romane, entertaining an audience of 2,500.
Dagadana on their cross-cultural music collaboration
Monika Piorun, Radio Poland: How did the idea to merge folk with Romanian hip-hop come about?
Daga Gregorowicz, Dagadana: The collaboration arose from the 2024–2025 Poland–Romania Cultural Season, organised by the culture ministries of both countries and the Adam Mickiewicz Institute.
On the Romanian side, Subcarpați were chosen - a band that combines hip-hop with traditional music and teaches young people to play often-forgotten instruments.
We were thrilled that, from the list of Polish bands, they picked us. We spent nearly a week in Bucharest, and the result was Moja Mamo (My Mother).
Why did you choose a Polish Kurpie melody for the project?
We explored various Polish folk tunes. While the Kurpie melodies are beautiful, we initially suggested other Carpathian tunes, but I personally couldn’t adapt to those rhythms.
MC Bean surprised us by proposing the voice of Apolonia Nowak, a living legend of Polish folk music. We chose two of her songs, went into the studio, and started jamming. Her voice isn’t the lead - it acts as an echo responding to what we sing. She liked the idea and promised to perform with us if the opportunity arises.
Did you consider other folk songs?
Yes, we have two more folk-inspired tracks featuring Polish and Romanian traditional instruments and vocals by a Polish and a Ukrainian singer.
You have a very musically trained group. Can you describe briefly the band’s education?
I studied geoinformatics and worked with aerial and satellite imagery, so I have the least formal musical training, although I’ve been involved professionally in music for 17 years.
Dana graduated from Lviv Conservatory and is a certified composer. Mikołaj Pospieszalski comes from a musical family. He also studied double bass, violin, and synthesizers.
Bartosz Mikołaj Nazaruk, our drummer, studied percussion and is passionate about borderland and klezmer music. We’re all grateful to perform together and share our cultures with the world.
How does the war in Ukraine affect your work?
It affects us directly. Dana’s husband, Bogdan, left for Ukraine on the third day of the full-scale conflict, joining the army despite having a family and a job in Poland.
We’ve performed many benefit concerts and have been invited worldwide to discuss the conflict and fight disinformation. There is now some fatigue on the topic, but we remain active.
What are your plans for the future?
We are working on a new album. Right now, our focus is the collaboration with Subcarpați. Afterwards, we will channel our energy into showing our perspective on current realities through music.
The album won’t be depressing - it will be full of light, exactly what we need most now.
The artists' meeting in Casa din Vale in Romania (photo: R.Ungureanu)
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