American hip-hop artistes connect with 'baul' music

American hip-hop artistes have discovered during a recent Kolkata tour that they share much in common with the 'baul' singers of West Bengal.
"I never heard her before and though I couldn't understand the language it just went straight to my heart. We have found that hip-hop and 'baul' are similar in two aspects - spirituality and touching social issues," New York-born hip-hop rapper Sheikia Norris told PTI.
Reciprocating the feelings, Kolkata singer Malabika Brahma who follows the 'Baul' mystic minstrel traditions said she also could connect with hip-hop music.
A team of young American hip-hop singers are in Kolkata under a US government programme 'Next Level' which promotes civic activism and fosters cross cultural creative expression and exchange in diverse communities around the world.

Levantine Public Diplomacy's Paul S Rockower, who has also joined the team of artistes, said both hip-hop and 'baul' are mediums of expressing what is going on deep within you.
"Through music and dance we express our thoughts and feelings on what's happening around us. So there is a spirituality angle involved into it as well as the discussion on social issues," he said explaining the common ground for 'baul' and hip-hop.