The confluence of nationalities in Brussels is impossible to escape: streets bear names in French and Dutch, German is a national language, Arabic of numerous variants is normal to hear in many neighbourhoods, and everyone speaks English. It's all part of the city's thrill, and expression finds form not only in discussion but in the broader cultural scene too.
If you prefer listening to music where you can follow every word, there's a fair chance you're less into rap – the genre that makes few concessions to the hard of hearing as a torrent of lyrics tumbles over energetic beats. Where other styles make melody the focus, with vocal lines linked to the rise and fall of pitch, rap centres on rhythm to direct the spoken phrases.
As a linguistic melting pot, the rap that emerges from Brussels can be both confounding and compelling, a staccato stream that twists the tongues that it blends as it rotates through the many dialects represented in the city. Even if it's not your go-to genre, an appreciation of the nation's burgeoning rap scene will help you understand the artistic exuberance that Belgium harbours.
All that being said, I can make no claim to being a connoisseur on this particular matter (jazz fusion and electronica are more my realm). Fortunately, a slightly younger member of the team can speak with authority on the subject and has kindly created a guide, for the likes of me and maybe you.
So with the weekend offering a window of listening time, why not explore the world of Belgium's polyglot MCs?
And if you can say Zwangere Guy correctly, let @Orlando_tbt know.
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1. 'Worrisome and unsustainable': National bank paints bleak picture of Belgian economy
The National Bank of Belgium's (BNB) annual report has painted an extraordinarily bleak picture of Belgium's current economic predicament and suggested that the country faces a serious risk of deindustrialisation in the coming months as high energy prices continue to threaten business competitiveness. Read more.
2. An introduction to Belgium's best rappers
Music can be a great way to connect with the culture of any country and rap music, in particular, has influenced popular culture throughout the world since its inception in New York City in the late 1970s. While rap in French or Dutch is more commonly associated with Paris or Amsterdam, Brussels and Belgium have always nurtured a healthy rap scene – which is still going strong today. Read more.
3. Over 2,000 tractors head to Brussels: Where to expect disruptions
Traffic disruptions are expected in the Brussels-Capital Region and across Flanders on Friday, as farmers are driving their tractors to the capital to express their dissatisfaction with the Flemish government's lack of proper nitrogen policy. Read more.
4. Belgium and Panama sign agreement to combat drug trafficking
Belgian Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne has signed an information exchange agreement with the Panama Minister of Maritime Affairs Noriel Arauz, as part of the fight against drug trafficking and organised crime in Belgian ports. Read more.
5. 'Robust legal basis': Court rules that Belgium's Pandemic Act is constitutional
For the many months that the Covid-19 pandemic dominated personal and public affairs, the Belgian State introduced an array of firm restrictions under the auspices of the Pandemic Law. These suspended civil rights in the name of public health, but the legality of this hastily-erected framework was widely questioned. Read more.
6. European Schools and the ghettoization of Brussels
In 2004, the Belgian government, under European pressure, nearly took a decision that would have irreversibly led to splitting Brussels in two. Here is the story of how this was avoided. Read more.
7. What to do in Brussels this weekend: 3 - 5 March
Has the sunshine of the past week encouraged you to come out of winter hibernation and rediscover the city once again but are unsure where to start? With an Asian-themed comic con, a Flamenco night and a kids' music festival, The Brussels Times' weekend guide is sure to have something for everyone. Read more.
