Battle of the bands enters Georgian election campaign
Published 02 January, 2008, 05:52
As Georgia gears up for Saturday's presidential vote, some of the country's top musicians are getting in on the act too by providing their own soundtrack to the election season.
As well as clashing over ideas, government and opposition supporters in Georgia have also been engaged in a different kind of fight.
Georgia is now witnessing a battle of the bands, with some of the country's best-known pop stars taking sides.
Utsnobi is normally known for his witty lyrics, slick videos and fusion of rap and traditional Georgian music. Over the course of the campaign, however, he's become something of a protest singer, releasing songs comparing ex-president Mikhail Saakashvili to a crazed emperor Nero.
He's also been singing the praises of the main opposition candidate, Levan Gachechiladze, who happens to be his brother.
Nero-Saakashvili from Utsnobi music video
“I always do what comes from my heart. I always do what I think is right. It's the same here. By making these songs I'm not betraying my principles, I'm doing what I think is right,” Utsnobi says.
Not to be outdone, supporters of Saakashvili, who is universally known as 'Misha' in Georgia, have set their message to music.
One provincial governor has written a song called 'Misha is cool'. The song, with its lavishly shot video, has turned into something of a hit.
“What we're doing here comes from inside, from our souls. The people involved are people who really believe that Misha is cool,” notes songwriter Georgy Khachidze.
Popular folk-reggae outfit Zumba have also come out in favour of Saakshvili and his policies – but their lead singer Zaza says it's about more than just personalities.
“We are not staying with Misha only. We are with the future of our country and the development of our country,” Zaza says.
Though their politics may differ, Georgia's campaigning pop stars are singing from the same page when it comes to wishing a better future for their country. And whoever wins, they hope that Georgia will be able to sing in harmony after the
elections.
