Jätkäjätkät

(FIN)
hip hop & reggae

Originally rapper Asa’s backing band, the 9 man strong Jätkäjätkät mix hip hop and rootsy reggae into a personal gumbo that rolls and swings, often with jazzy spicing, in a positive and very relaxed manner. The Finnish language lyrics are far from aimless bragging; their cliché-free substance doesn’t underestimate the listener’s intelligence, but the music makes you wanna dance. While Asa raps, Puppa J handles Jamaican influenced toasting and singing. The band is truly hot live and the down-to-earth sound charms you with its mellow richness that benefits from accordion, trombone, buzuki, keyboards and percussion.

Jätkäjätkät served two years as Asa’s backing group but having such high-caliber players, he thought it more appropriate to present himself as just one band member. Their debut album Ykstoist ykstoist came out in late spring and holds undeniable evidence of their abilities.