Ammar Khalia's global album of the month
As far-right political parties have risen in Greece in recent years, young artists from Athens' migrant communities have been using hip-hop to channel their anger. Rappers such as Kareem Kalokoh and his ATH Kids collective rap (in English) about racism over thunderous trap beats, while Greek-Nigerian artist Moose pays homage to the often-maligned immigrant suburb of Kypseli. Negros Tou Moria, meanwhile, has developed his own Greek-language genre.
Since releasing his debut mixtape in 2012, NTM (real name Kofi Ansong) has pioneered what he calls trabetiko, mixing the Greek working-class folk music of rebetiko with trap. NTM raps about being a second-generation Greek born to Ghanaian parents while adorned in traditional clothing such as tsarouchia pom-pom shoes and a fustanella skirt.
NTM downplays the folk references in favour of a more wide-ranging sound on his latest album, Mavri Ellada (Black Greece). His earlier releases had a melodic lilt; he's now shifted to a gravelly baritone, growling through everything from G-funk on Euthinofovos to Afrobeats on An Einai Dinaton and dancefloor synths on PragmatiKotita. His vocal dexterity is impressive: he slows his flow for the laid-back groove of Euthinofovos while skipping ahead of the beat on the thumping kicks of PragmatiKotita.
NTM comes into his own when he employs his bass tone over that signature trabetiko sound. Oneiro samples a 50s Greek film soundtrack over a gut-punching beat as he raps venomously about being stopped and searched, while the title track pairs a trilling rebetiko bouzouki melody with rumbling sub-bass as he reflects on the country's economic need for immigration and the political hatred of it. Armed with this darker, more mature voice, NTM tackles bleak issues with indefatigable energy: a forceful statement.
Portuguese producer Jonathan Uliel Saldanha and Ugandan trumpeter Florence Nandawula return with their second album as HHY and the Kampala Unit, Turbo Meltdown (Nyege Nyege). Filled with apocalyptic synth sounds and shuddering percussion, the duo soundtrack dark dancefloor moments, peaking on the syncopated east African polyrhythms and horn fanfares of Neon Veil Collapse. Stella Chronopoulou's fifth album as Σtella, Adagio (Sub Pop), sees the vocalist singing in her native tongue of Greek for the first time, producing a beautifully wistful cover of the 1969 Greek new wave track Ta Vimata and an earthy funk call-and-response on Omorfo Mou. Running at under 30 minutes, the nine-track record plays out a brief but beguiling new chapter. Featuring a blazing Amharic-langauge cover of Black Sabbath's War Pigs, four-piece Ukandanz's latest album Evil Plan (Compagnie 4000) is brash and uncompromising, traversing metal, prog and jazz fusion, all anchored in Ethiopian singer Asnaké Gèbrèyès's acrobatic vocals.
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Glasgow Times
36 minutes ago
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The Energy Secretary said Holyrood's position 'makes no sense', as Labour MP Gregor Poynton claimed the policy had cost workers and taxpayers north of the border 'billions of pounds of investment and thousands of high-skilled jobs'. SNP MP Kirsty Blackman described the UK Government's new £14.2 billion investment into Sizewell C in Suffolk as a 'splurge', when she pressed Mr Miliband on whether the Government will back the Acorn carbon capture and storage project. Mr Miliband said the Sizewell development along East Anglia's North Sea coastline will 'power the equivalent of around six million homes with clean homegrown energy for 60 years, and it will be a jobs and growth engine for Britain, supporting 10,000 jobs in the peak construction and creating 1,500 apprenticeships'. It is one of several nuclear projects which the Government has backed, which also include a prototype fusion plant at West Burton, Nottinghamshire, and a partnership between Rolls-Royce and Great British Energy – Nuclear to rollout small modular reactors. Mr Poynton, the MP for Livingston, told the Commons: 'Scotland was once a pioneer in nuclear energy and should be again, but due to the SNP Scottish Government's outdated, backward, quite frankly bizarre opposition to nuclear energy, turning away billions of pounds of investment and thousands of high-skilled jobs. 'So, does the Secretary of State agree with me this is yet another way the SNP Scottish Government has lost their way?' (PA Graphics) Mr Miliband replied that Mr Poynton was 'so right', and added: 'People in Scotland will be looking at these announcements and saying, 'well why isn't it us that are benefitting from this? Why are we not even in the race?'' The Scottish Government, led by SNP First Minister John Swinney, has a policy of opposing the building of new nuclear power stations. Lillian Jones, the Labour MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun, criticised the position as an 'ideological block on nuclear power, blocking billions in investment, blocking thousands of well-paid, secure Scottish jobs, and blocking growth'. In his response, Mr Miliband said: 'We can announce a golden age of nuclear with our investments but not in Scotland, because of the position of the SNP Government. 'It makes no sense.' Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband urged the SNP to 'think again' about its position on nuclear power (Hannah McKay/PA) Aberdeen North MP Ms Blackman had earlier said: 'This £14 billion splurge on English nuclear power plants comes on top of £22 billion for English carbon capture and storage, while there's nothing for Scotland's Acorn project. 'With Grangemouth (oil refinery) allowed to close, with a fiscal regime that is ruining north-east energy jobs, this latest announcement shows that Scotland isn't just an afterthought, it isn't a thought at all. 'If nearly £40 billion can be found for English energy projects, why is it that money is never found for Scotland's carbon capture project?' Mr Miliband replied: 'Well look, I think maybe there is an SNP change in position coming. If she wants to have a conversation about Scottish nuclear power stations, then absolutely. 'We're in favour of the Acorn project and we'll be saying more about this in the coming weeks. 'But let me just say to her – on nuclear power, they've really got to think again. We are backing nuclear with the biggest building programme in a generation. 🔧£14.2bn for Sizewell C👷10,000 jobs & 1,500 apprenticeships⚛️ Small Modular Reactor programme Clean, homegrown power will boost the UK's energy security, protect billpayers & drive economic growth. — Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (@energygovuk) June 10, 2025 'They are absolutely sticking their heads in the sand when it comes to this. This is about jobs, it's about investment, it's about clean energy, they should really rethink.' In an earlier statement, Mr Miliband said: 'The Government is taking decisive steps today to usher in a new golden age of nuclear for Britain.' He added: 'For too long, our country has not made the crucial energy – or indeed other infrastructure investments – we need. A short-sighted failure to invest for which the British people have paid the price in lower living standards, insecurity and declining public services. 'This week's announcements symbolise a decisive change in approach, to invest in the future – the right choice for energy security, the right choice for jobs, the right choice for climate and our children and grandchildren, the right choice for Britain, investment, not decline. 'This Government has made its choice.'
Rhyl Journal
37 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
SNP opposition to new nuclear power stations ‘makes no sense', says Miliband
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Daily Record
44 minutes ago
- Daily Record
British man living in Benidorm lists parts of life he 'massively hates'
A Brit who has lived in Benidorm has shared the things he hates about the popular holiday destination - and tourists will benefit from knowing about them too Last year, Benidorm saw a whopping 600,000 Brits descend on its white isles – and it's not hard to see why. Reliably good weather, a short flight and vibrant nightlife is such a strong draw that recent figures show that close to a third of visitors to Benidorm are from the United Kingdom. Benidorm is so dominated by Brits, in fact, that it's now packed with home comforts, from British pubs to full English breakfasts and broadcasting of British sports on outdoor screens. Yet, one British expat has highlighted some significant drawbacks to life in the sunny Spanish resort, sharing his gripes in a recent video. Harry Poulton, who offers travel insights and advice to his 40,000 TikTok followers under the handle @harrytokky, didn't hold back in expressing his frustrations. In his latest post, he vents about the aspects of Benidorm that he can't stand - and all of them are handy for tourists to be aware of. The influencer kicks off his rant with: "The fake alcohol drinks on Benidorm beach. Massive hate. You're going to get these people come up to you and try to sell you dodgy alcoholic drinks, and you have no idea where they're being made." He warns: "You don't even know what they're actually putting in these supposed alcoholic cocktails. Absolutely avoid them." Poulton then moves on to take down the infamous "pea-men's scam games" found along the beaches. Explaining the con, he remarks: "These [people] do dodgy games on Benidorm beach, trying to scam you out of your own hard-earned money. Horrible." He also cautions that these scammers often work with pickpockets who take advantage of distracted tourists to steal their belongings. Lastly, he touches on the notorious 'Muggers Alley', particularly criticising the women who are said to linger there hoping to rob tourists. Harry launched into a scathing rant, saying: "They are absolutely dreadful. They are ladies of the night, thieves, and are just crooks. They're going to try and rob you, take your phone. You name it, they're going to steal it." His comments sparked a wave of agreement, with one person sharing a similar experience, saying: "I was in Benidorm last week and they started following me and my family, so we stopped at a shop and they passed." Another claimed to have seen the cocktail vendors "stir them with their fingers" before hiding the "bottle in the bushes". One critic questioned: "Unbelievable! Why do people keep going?". However, the allure of Benidorm remains strong, with pints available for under £1, affordable food, and a party lifestyle - it's little wonder that revellers continue to flock to this Spanish hotspot.
