Polish Hip Hop as Window Into Generation

Natalia Emi Hirai was born and raised in Japan, but she used to frequently visit her grandmother in Poland, and that’s where she came across Polish hip hop. Her interest in this type of music grew into a passion that she pursues to this day. She wrote a book on the topic a few years ago, and she’s working on another one coming out this year. 

We discussed: 

• The origins of Natalia Emi’s interest in hip hop
• Studying Polish at Tokyo University 
• Chopin’s influence in Japan
• Natalia Emi’s dislike of people’s compliments about her appearances
• Dating someone in Poland for four years while living in Japan in the pre-internet times
• Comparing working for Japanese companies and international ones
• The problem with plastic recycling and plastic production
• What does it mean to love your country? 

 

Emi’s book: https://asfaltshop.pl/product/11065-natalia-emi-hirai-hip-hop-eastern-europe-ksiazka

 

Emi’s book on Amazon Japan: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4908468214/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_87CFG6KVF1HXNPCH764X?linkCode=ml2&tag=paulamuzykapo-22

 

Emi’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chloemnh/

 

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