RVKDTR: It’s provocative to be yourself
Two are pregnant, one is on maternity leave, one works in a sex shop abroad, and one is an assistant at a nursing home. Together with ten other women they’re part of the freshest rap ensemble in Iceland at the moment, Reykjavíkurdætur. Tonight they’re ready to pump up the crowd at G!
Although media is quick to label Reykjavíkurdætur as the provocative spokeswomen for feminism in Iceland, they deny that the group has a significant political agenda. As individuals they’re obviously feminists, because they care about women’s rights, but the primary goal of the ensemble is to create a space where they can support each other’s art on their own terms. And to party.
- We’re just a collective of women that step forward and create music we’re passionate about. To take up space in public and have a party is enough of a political statement on its own.
Singing in Icelandic doesn’t seem as an obstacle to the group in getting their message across to the listeners, because their expression is easily understood visually and physically through their performances. To never compromise with one’s identity and to dare to say one’s opinion.
- The media choses what sells, and they’ve found a way to capitalise off of our image without giving us the authority to define ourselves as we want. They love to generalise and put us in boxes that fit their agendas.
But when people see the women perform they quickly catch onto the idea. It’s unusual and provoking to see so many women having fun on stage together. And as Southern Comfort and Jolly Time gets passed around the table one of them shouts out:
“The next 30 minutes are pantless!”. So the trousers go flying and the party continues.
Reykjavíkurdætur are performing on the playground tonight at 11.20 pm.