Trash-talking, Swiss-style

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Trash-talking, Swiss-style

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Trash-talking, Swiss-style

by Felix Feuerstein, Oct 14, 2009

This weekend, the Red Bull Soundclash will hit Switzerland for the first time. The event in Fribourg will not only be a musical one, it will also be the first bilingual edition of the hip-hop battle. And the verbal battle is already on!

"We can't lose, because we already lost." Elia, of wave-rock outfit The Bianca Story, who will challenge rapper Nega in the first Swiss edition of the Red Bull Soundclash, is acting über-modest – or is he just putting it on?

Nega is an icon of Swiss rap, but not everyone thinks he's that impressive: "He claims to be the Swiss 50 Cent, but let’s be honest – he's not even Five Cents," says Elia, firing up the verbal exchange before the night, when the two have to face each other on opposing stages.

The Bianca Story – Paper Piano

Nega isn't too worried about challengers, but does admit to one fear: "I'm really scared of big beards!"

Basel-based Elia does indeed wear some hair on his face, and he keeps his tongue in his cheek as well: "After the battle, I'll be backstage, beating them up – and they will beg for mercy," he says. But looking at the friendly smile on his face, you can see that he's not being serious.

The Red Bull Soundclash will go over four rounds, challenging the artists' musical creativity and skills. It won't be fists or trash talk that decide the outcome, though – only the audience choose who will win the battle with the decible level of their cheering and applause after each performance.

Red Bull Soundclash Switzerland
October 16 , 2009, 10pm CET
Fri-Son, Route de la Fonderie 13, 1705 Fribourg

www.redbullsoundclash.com