Nuuk Posse: “Qitik”
Nuuk Posse is a hip hop group from Greenland’s capital, Nuuk. Their members, Andreas Hojgaard, Lars Sørensen, Peter Motzfeldt, Henrik Pedersen, Thomas Hansen, and John Olsen, all formed in 1985 to celebrate their nuanced culture through rap and hip hop music. The group adopted the name “Nuuk Posse” in 1991, and released their first single “Sussa Appinnagu” in 1992. Their first album “NP” was released in 1995 and included top song “Qitik” which allowed them to gain popularity outside of the arctic circle. The group has gone on tour over the years, traveling to Sweden, Germany, Spain, Belgium, and Canada. Surprisingly, despite many of their songs being in Inuit and Danish, they have never toured in Denmark.
The group has had a lot of success since the early 1990s. They won the cultural prize of Greenland in 1995 due to their popularity and cultural acknowledgement. They have a fun, rap-like beat that includes deeper meanings. These beats allow them to relate to listeners globally and even be nominated as “Messengers of Truth” by the United Nations in 2004.
Their lyrics allow foreigners to visualize Greenlandic culture in a new way. Many of their songs, including “Qitik” are about having fun in the city of Nuuk and partying, dancing, and eating traditional greenlandic food. “Qitik” means “dance” and the song allows people to become accustomed to the culture through a modern, hip-hop song that can be played in many different settings and places.
The music is different from the traditional music from the arctic circle, yet still ties back to their Inuit culture and identity. They have been able to incorporate the Greenlandic language with very long words into a beatbox hit song with flow and rhythm. Their songs reflect upon the landscape and nature that is unique to Greenland. Their song “Qitik” is by far their most popular song, with half a million streams and immense popularity in hotels and AirBnBs in Nuuk, Greenland.
Above is a link to the song “Qitik” and below are the lyrics translated from Greenlandic to English.
“Swiftly, swiftly, swiftly, swiftly, the wind carries the clouds away.
In the vast expanse of the sky, as they gather and disperse,
Dancing freely, like birds in flight
In the endless expanse, in the land of dreams
They move swiftly, gracefully, as if guided by an invisible hand
With each passing moment, they change, they transform
The clouds drift away.
As they dance across the horizon, the world seems to awaken
Nature’s rhythm begins to play
Harmony fills the air.
The woman sings:
We go forward, with determination, we stand tall amidst storms.
The sky becomes clear
The world seems new.
We have dreams to chase
And challenges to overcome
As we journey through life’s twists and turns
We find strength in unity
And wisdom in experience.
Together we embrace the future
With courage and hope
In the land of our ancestors
We stand strong and proud.
(Hohohohohoho hohoho)”
The group is very proud of their heritage and works to preserve their language, culture, and homeland by addressing their country and ancestors in their songs. In general, the Inuit tribe is very unified and strong, similar to the values the group describe in the lyrics. They describe themselves using three words, proud, patriots, Inuits. Their transition to modern music and beats while still honoring their past is an important exemplification of the modernization of native tribes. This group, in particular, has found an honorable way to combine their modern rap interest while staying attached to their history as they “journey through life’s twists and turns.”
References:
Kamio and Pippilina. “Props to Nuuk Posse.” M I l k y c a T . C O M — Mad Props to Nuuk Posse, web.archive.org/web/20090601190951/www.milkycat.com/reviews/nuukrvw.html. Accessed 31 Jan. 2024.
“Nuuk Posse | Discography | Discogs.” Nuuk Posse Discography, www.discogs.com/artist/95011-Nuuk-Posse. Accessed 31 Jan. 2024.
Having had no prior experience or knowledge not only about Greenlandic culture but more so Greenlandic culture. This music selection here made me feel very good. I listened to it as I walked away from class today. The song is filled with hope that is reflected both in the beat and more so in the lyrics. It grounded me by guiding me to the thoughts of my ancestors and showing me what there is possibly to come. One of my favorite components of the song is that connects it back to the Arctic and specifically to the Inuit culture. By centering the song within the land and natural formations, we can see how the group demonstrates their connection to their heritage and share it with others in a beautiful manner.
I thoroughly enjoyed Posse’s music, particularly when juxtaposed with my artist’s grunge/indie style. My artist delves into the ancestral link, accentuated by a breathy, melancholic voice—a stark contrast to Posse’s modern rap. While my artist explores different themes, the song Qitik shines a light on the possibly overlooked fun and party scene within indigenous communities. Despite their stylistic disparities, it seems both artists share a common thread: a dedication to preserving their language and cultural ties. It’s fascinating how they navigate diverse musical landscapes, offering unique perspectives that enrich the narrative of indigenous artistry. In this divergence and convergence, a compelling exploration of heritage unfolds, showcasing the multifaceted expression within the indigenous music sphere.
You brought up that despite their international success and their songs being in Danish, Nuuk Posse has never toured in Denmark. I saw that they have toured in other countries and it led me to speculate that this might reflect a conscious decision to emphasize their Greenlandic identity and roots, potentially in response to historical political dynamics between Greenland and Denmark. Nuuk Posse’s journey is emblematic of the adaptive nature of indigenous cultures in the modern world. Their successful integration of traditional and contemporary elements challenges common narratives about indigenous cultures being static or resistant to change. Instead, they exemplify how cultural preservation can coexist with innovation and modern expression. This group’s story is a compelling narrative of how music can be a powerful tool for cultural preservation and expression in an ever-changing world.