'To me, everything is connected'

Aras Koyi on artistic freedom, integrity, and the journey behind ‘The Chant of Art’

2024-09-13 | 12:25

ERBIL — Kurdish artist Aras Koyi, known for his modern and eclectic musical style, unveiled his latest song, “The Chant of Art,” on Monday, accompanied by a visually striking music video. The song, which delves into the significance of art in contemporary Kurdish society, has been years in the making, emerging from a personal memory Koyi has carried with him for over 15 years.

In an interview with 964media, Koyi described the release as an emotional milestone in his career, likening it to “the birth of a child.” The deeply personal nature of the song aligns with Koyi’s reputation for creating music that resonates on both a cultural and emotional level with Kurdish audiences.

The music video opens with a dramatic courtroom scene, where Koyi, portraying an artist, stands trial, symbolizing the tension between artistic expression and societal judgment. Wearing a hat adorned with the Kurdistan flag, Koyi’s character is asked by the judge to defend his art—he responds not with a speech, but through rap. The judge ultimately grants him freedom, but the courtroom splits into two camps: those who support the artist’s message and those who oppose it. The song’s opening lyrics capture the essence of his journey: “Art chose me, sent me to society. With fearless strength, with a pure feeling. From this city to that city, I’ve been busy with work.”

“I’ve invested a lot into this video, so I’m very pleased to finally release it. I hope everyone in Kurdistan watches it and enjoys it,” Koyi shared with 964media, reflecting on the long and meticulous process behind his latest work.

Known for his genre-blending approach, Koyi’s music defies simple categorization. “Every song has its own style,” he explained. “I mix two or three styles. For example, in my song ‘Darje,’ the style blends Kurdish folk with reggae. In ‘Sawar,’ I combine folk, traditional, and rock elements. My latest song, ‘The Chant of Art,’ mixes rap and rock with a Kurdish touch.”

This versatility has cemented Koyi’s place as a unique figure in the Kurdish music scene. His commitment to constant reinvention is clear. “Art should be unpredictable,” he says. “Repeating yourself is self-sabotage.”

The lyrics of “The Chant of Art” were originally written by Koyi’s friend, Barham Ali, in 2009. Over the years, the lyrics have evolved, undergoing several revisions. While Koyi composed the music in 2009, the song’s release was postponed due to other projects, including his celebrated tracks “Kurdistana Min,” “Darje,” and “Sawar.”

In “The Chant of Art,” Koyi portrays himself as an artist who has remained uncompromising in his pursuit of artistic freedom. The lyrics underscore this conviction: “They said, ‘Make yourself clear, decide your stance. Pick this or that side, follow one.’ I never sought after anyone—I never compromised. I pursued freedom for my country and my art.”

Reflecting on the song’s lengthy development, Koyi explained, “I started working on this song in 2009 but held off releasing it because I had other projects that needed to come out first. Making these videos may look easy to some, but in reality, it takes a lot of effort and money.”

Despite having a relatively small discography, Koyi has garnered significant recognition for his distinctive sound, with fans praising his work. “I have a Master’s degree in production. If I wanted to, I could make three videos like those produced by some other singers,” he remarked.

Speaking about the demands of creating art, Koyi said, “Art requires sacrifice if you want to create something truly beautiful. To deliver fine art, you need to protect your integrity. You can’t just do anything for the sake of pleasing others. Unfortunately, some sponsors don’t understand this—they see art as begging for money, which it’s not. A true artist invests everything—time, money, and health—into their work.”

Discussing the nature of avant-garde art, Koyi reflected on its role in both his music and broader human progress. “All human progress began with avant-garde ideas. Initially, people think it’s strange, then they hate it, and eventually, they like it. Avant-garde art takes time to be accepted, but it stimulates the mind and doesn’t feel outdated,” he said.

However, Koyi also pointed to the practical challenges of creating innovative art in Kurdistan, particularly the lack of sponsorship. He likened the artistic process to “extracting iron, gold, or diamonds from the earth,” stressing that vision alone is not enough—resources are crucial for bringing creative ideas to life.

In one memorable scene from “The Chant of Art” music video, Koyi stages a ‘press conference’. He throws all the broadcaster microphones away – each emblazoned with terms like “LIAR” in lieu of tv station names – except for one bearing the Kurdistan flag, while delivering a message through his lyrics:

“Not everyone can bear the name ‘artist’

One must first be human, a lover of humanity

The standard for art is quality, not quantity

Some are mere merchants, thinking themselves skillful

They tarnish the name of art, they devalue it

An artist has only one face, one honest message

What they say is rooted in their hearts

Because they are examples for the people, useful to all

They raise the name and flag of Kurdistan to the summit.”

Koyi emphasized that true art requires integrity and humanity. “An artist must first and foremost be humane. Being an artist means being kind and sincere. Sadly, in Kurdistan, anyone can call themselves an artist, but real artists are like generals, carefully stepping every step. Some people here are businessmen who think they’re artists. They need to realize that art cannot be bought or sold. Art isn’t for sale,” he said.

This theme of artistic resilience is poetically expressed in “The Chant of Art,” where Koyi likens his journey to that of a warrior: “Like a brave knight, I ventured with a sword. Paving the path of art, never wavering and fearless. For the people who are dishonored, corrupt, and unprincipled. They disrespect the artist, undervaluing art.”

In the song, Koyi explores the dualities of good and evil in various societal institutions, including courts, religious leaders, police, and journalists. “I hope everyone who watches this video will be inspired to strive for the good,” he said.

Reflecting on how his personal experiences have shaped his artistic vision, Koyi spoke about the influence of both his time in Kurdistan and abroad, particularly his education in Russia and years living in Sweden. “Everything shapes your art, especially the environment you grow up in. In Russia, I grew up with children from many different nationalities. From a young age, I was exposed to Latin American, African, Afghan, and Chinese music, among others. These influences come together unconsciously in your work.”

The song itself touches on this idea, with Koyi emphasizing, “Art demands sacrifice. It requires hard work. It seeks fiery passion.”

Koyi pointed to his song “Tomato” as an example of this global blend, incorporating musical elements from Latin American, African, Kurdish, and European traditions. “That’s when I realized that this is my identity—open to all kinds of music from different cultures,” he said.

For Koyi, music is more than just sound—it’s about creating a complete and cohesive experience. “Just like a painter uses different colors, you can combine different elements, but what matters is that the result is cohesive. You can’t just admire one color in a painting—it’s about the whole picture,” he explained.

The Chant of Art is not only a reflection on the value of art but also a critique of cultural, political, and social injustices that Koyi believes undermine justice and freedom. The song serves as both a message of resistance and a celebration of artistic and personal freedom. “For me, everything is connected,” he said.

Freedom of expression, a central theme in Koyi’s work, remains a point of concern for the artist. “We haven’t reached true democracy yet. We’re moving toward it, but freedom of expression is still limited in Kurdistan. It’s not just about media or journalism; personal freedom is also crucial. Here, you can’t joke about certain things. In America, shows like David Letterman’s or political satire like the Basheer Show are popular. In Kurdistan, you can’t do something like that.”

Koyi emphasized that true freedom of expression must extend beyond politics. “If you can’t make jokes about topics like politics, religion, and sex, it means we haven’t achieved true democracy. Freedom must apply to all aspects of life, not just politics,” he added. “Some people want freedom for themselves, but not for others.”

Aras Fatih Rasul, widely known as Aras Koyi, is a Kurdish artist, songwriter, and director, born in 1972. His family was forced to leave Iraq in 1981 due to his father, Fatih Rasul’s political activities. Koyi later dedicated The Chant of Art to his father. As a child, Koyi lived in the Soviet Union, where he continued his education in Ivanovo, Russia. After finishing high school in 1990, he moved to Eskilstuna, Sweden, to reunite with his family after years of separation. It was in the late 1990s that Koyi began his musical journey, a path he continues to follow today.