Rahdan & Buğra Milat feat. Kerim Erduran – “Yatsı Vakti” (video)

From the looks of the video (spliced images of camera phone and news footage showing the recent riots that took place in Turkey), rappers Rahdan, Buğra Milat and Kerim Erduran take aim at the powers that be with “Yatsı Vakti”, a hypnotic pulse of hip-hop grooves and gunslinging Southern twang. With a sampled riff of a slide guitar providing the sole hook, an air of presentiment hangs over the sombre rhymes as the three trade verse for verse in an uneasy exchange of politics and passion. At once optimistic and solemn, the song strikes a curious balance between youthful rebellion and a wise-beyond-their-years outlook that is remarkably successful in its confluence of emotional upheaval and workmanship-like determination. The fact that it is incredibly catchy doesn’t hurt the song at all. Considering how much of an impact Turkey’s riots have had on the nation, “Yatsı Vakti” will most likely be one in a slew of tracks to flower in light of the recent events. But for now, it takes first place as Turkey’s response to Johnny Cash’s adage of why you should never take your guns to town.