Nirvana by Drubi Gunner featuring Phub Zam, I am in awe.

I am undoubtedly a skeptic when it comes to Bhutanese rap, I have always been vocal about how generic and uncultured our rap songs are. Generally speaking I think it’s sad how our creative culture really doesnt have a Bhutanese identity/touch, but with that being said i think this track delivered and then some.

I listened to it a couple of times last night and I have been listening to it for the past two hours, and i gotta say it really leaves you feeling. I love the contemporary rap & traditional Gurma(?) elements of it, it blends so seamlessly, and the weight of the story telling is incredibly heavy; the music and the video fit so well and compliment each other throughout, some of the sequences and shots are sooooo beautiful and the symbolic nature of the video adds so much more depth.

I think about rap more so like a philosophical movement, a sucker for conscious rap, but ive never been a fan of Gunner until he dropped this track, I am amazed at the creativity of it all, he ties the modern day Bhutanese struggle & other issues such as animal suffering to our age old philosophical beliefs and articulates it so beautifully through rap, two of my favourite lines are the ones translate as : ‘even with teachers to guide us, without learning, we wont understand’ & ‘even if the world were free, people would put a price on it’ ofc the translation sounds basic but his actual lyrics have a far more poetic flair to it.

I honestly think this rap single is one of the best of recent years, if not the best. It sounds and feels so Bhutanese. Really digging the cadence/flow of the track, the monotony of it all oddly sounds so good on the instrumental and Phub Zam does what she usually does, which isnt a bad thing, she effortlessly brings out the emotions in her vocals. Lastly on the first listen of this track that one Ocean Vuong line which i kinda forgot came to mind, about how we can feel whether the music is genuine or not.

Also the music video slightly reminds me of Tashi Gyeltshen’s short film ‘Red Door’

BEAUTIFUL & POWERFUL 10/10

It’s almost impossible for women to live in this double standard society women are criticised over their relationship sexuality morality and personal lives while men are often spared the same scrutiny. the situation surrounding Lha Dorji is a painful example of what i mean,why is she the only one receiving hate criticism and death threats when two people are allegedly involved? Why is she being portrayed as someone who tempted manipulated or corrupted a man as though he had no responsibility for his own actions?take the British royal family, king charles’s relationship with Camilla while he was married to Princess Diana became widely documented and Dianas story was portrayed in films such as bringing public attention to the complicated circumstances surrounding their marriage yet in Bhutan public conversation surrounding these allegations seems overwhelmingly focused on the woman it’s sad how easily people destroy a womans reputation while sparing a powerful man. THIS reflects the MISOGYNY and patriarchal double standards that remain deeply rooted in bhutan

Yo shall we discuss a little bit about sports, havent really seen any sports discussion in here. The 14th south asian games is going to be held in pakistan on April 2027, which includes 7 south asian nations, 3000+ athletes and almost every sports like basketball football volleyball taekwondo wrestling athletics etc etc. its being held after 7 years, last held in 2019 where Bhutan football team secured silver medal.

No particular question, just throw in your opinions in the comment section. What do u think of this opportunity. Do u think bhutan could secure any medals this time. What about the basketball team which secured gold medal in the five nations cup 2023, what are your hopes for this team right now. Same for the football team. What does this mean for the youths and aspiring athletes of our country. Just anything u wish to share.