Hungarian rappers turn their rhymes on Orban’s government | U.S. & World [Video]

By Anita Komuves and Krisztina Fenyo

BUDAPEST (Reuters) – “Long live the peace mission!” Hungarian rapper De:Nash shouted out sarcastically from a festival stage as he launched into a blistering run of rhymes lambasting oligarchs, corruption and Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s friendly relations with Russia.

The crowd cheered back enthusiastically, enjoying the blast of public political invective in a country governed by Orban and his Fidesz party since 2010.

The blonde-haired rapper’s main target was his prime minister’s July trip to see Russian President Vladimir Putin – a visit described by Orban as a “peace mission” that angered some European Union leaders who warned against appeasing Moscow.

Orban’s government has defended the trip, saying it was an important bid to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. His party remains the dominant force. But voices from more media-savvy opposition parties have been building.

That has been mirrored in popular culture with a wave of rappers who have turned …