”I think it’s good when Saami artists become part of the mainstream music scene, as it helps people to learn about them.”
This quote is taken from Hanna, a Swede we interviewed as part of our documentary. Her eyes lit up when talking about Saami people being part of the modern music scene of Sweden as it was clear it was something she had an interest in. That’s why I was inspired to write this blog post, covering the artists Hanna mentioned but also some I came across on my own.
- Sofia Jannok
Sofia Jannok is a Saami musician who incorporates traditional Saami yoik, folk, jazz, and pop. She sings most often in Northern Saami, but also in Swedish and English. Sofia’s songs are often political in nature as they deal with Saami as a minority and the problems they still face in today’s society.
- Keiino
Keiino are a group from Norway including a Saami rapper, who participated in the 2019 Eurovision song contest with the song entry ‘Spirit in the Sky’. The song included traditional yoiking.
- Maxida Märak
Maxida Märak is a Saami yoik singer and hip-hop artist from Sweden. She is particularly passionate about Saami rights and this is evident in her music, in that her Swedish songs feature political Saami issues and in her singing yoik on large productions.
- Jon Henrik Fjällgren
Jon Henrik Fjällgren was born in Colombia but adopted by a Swedish Saami family and therefore became a part of the Saami community. He also sings yoik and won the Swedish version of Britain’s got Talent in 2014.
These artists show how Saami culture is present and visible in contemporary culture. With their wide spread more people would here about the Saami, maybe if it only is in a the form of a pop song.
European London 