To the uninitiated, Dubioza Kolektiv are a band from Bosnia known for their fresh take on hip-hop, reggae, dub, rock and Bosnian folklore. However, outside “The West”, the group has already established itself as among the best and most popular live outfits in Eastern Europe, and notorious leaders in the fight for social change. They are also nominees for IMPALA’s “Best Independent Album of 2011.” Their musical skills forged in basement shelters during the siege of Sarajevo, these guys know more than anyone how to use music as a weapon against the forces of negativity.

DK is well known in Bosnia for practicing what they preach, lending support to Bosnia’s first grass-roots civil society group “Dosta” by organizing a huge protest concert before 2006 general elections. Their album release party for their fourth album “Firma Ilegal” took place in front of the Bosnian Parliament, in a powerful statement against government corruption, and garnered massive coverage in the national press. Finally, in 2010 the band spearheaded a national voting drive with concerts in all of the major Bosnian cities, aimed to increase the turnout of younger population in 2010 elections. Time Magazine and the BBC have both recognized the group as a legitimate voice of Bosnia.

Tireless activists, their subjects revolve around subjects of peace and tolerance alongside an extreme criticism of nationalism and cultural stereotypes. The music is relentless and habit forming, tailor made for massive sound systems.
Their self-entitled first album was released in 2004. It was greeted with an enthusiasm not seen on the Bosnian scene since pre-war times. "Open Wide", DK’s second CD, featured dub poet Benjamin Zephaniah and Mush Khan from the British-based band Fun-da-mental. The third album, "Dubnamite", also received an energized reception as their popularity began to spread beyond borders. By 2008, with the release of "Firma Ilegal", their raging lyrics against the corrupt nationalist establishment that continues to hold the nation (and indeed most of the western Balkans) hostage, gave them regional fame. This was, interestingly enough, their first album in their mother tongue. All the previous albums had been produced in English. With songs like "Šuti i trpi" (Shut-up and take it) and "Svi u štrajk" (Everybody on Strike), Dubioza Kolektiv shook the mainstream with lyrics describing the country’s state and provoking action. One of their most popular songs even made it to the big screen with "Blam Blam" opening Berlin Golden Bear winner Jasmila Žbanić’s new film "Na putu". The logical evolution from "Firma Ilegal" was their album "5 do 12". And, in an open snub to ultra-capitalist music labels and as an expression of commitment to their fans, Dubioza made the album available for free downloads from their website (www.dubioza.org).

Koolarrow, the music label started by Faith No More’s Bill Gold, found the same inspiration in Dubioza Kolektiv. Their fifth album, ‘Wild, wild East’ was picked up by the American music guru. "Apsurdistan", released in 2013, was a huge success with more than 300,000 downloads. The video for the song ‘Kazu’ was viewed 12 million times on youtube. The album was so popular that their Western Balkans tour sold-out in venues that host 10-20,000 fans. This has brought DK’s sounds to every corner of the EU and a planned road show in the US with their newest album "Happy Machine". They have stepped up the ante with their 7th, perhaps their most provocative one to date. They lash out criticism on overregulation and the pop-culture scene. The album features guest appearances by Manu Chao, Benji Webb from Skindred, La Pegatina, and Cambo Agushev.

If you’re looking for macho, money-and-ego driven posturing, you won’t find it here; no MTV “rude boy” gangstas, no strippers or bling, no corporate endorsements from the international fashion industry. Rather, they take on traditional musical forms with their unique perspective, shaped by a war that changed their lives forever, and delivered with a level of positivity that hits you like a blast of fresh air. If you are open to the experience, it could change your life too.