Contemporary Hungarian songwriting anthology to be released

A new anthology titled ‘Hallunk titeket’ is set to be released by Trend Kiadó, collecting the lyrics of ten prominent contemporary Hungarian artists. The approximately 170-page volume, edited by Katalin Edinger, features works from artists including Beton. Hofi, Co Lee, Pogány Induló, Bongor, Indigo, and cserihanna, among others.

While the collection is heavily focused on the hip hop genre, it also includes various other musical styles. The lyrics explore themes relevant to 2020s Hungary, such as poverty, crime, corruption, addiction, and social issues. The book includes explanatory footnotes organized into five cycles, along with an analytical study.

Bálint Borsi, the poet and translator who provided the commentary, notes that Hungarian songwriting is currently flourishing. He suggests that the current era has fostered a highly outspoken and honest form of expression among the Z generation, influenced by both the 1980s Hungarian underground scene and American hip hop legends.