What happens when you are the world's only deaf rapper? Signmark, runner up in Euroviisut 2009 with Speakerbox is denied by Gramex the royalties as an artist "because he doesn't produce sound". Makes sense but is it fair? "The past six years I have tried to make them understand I write the lyrics and arrange the music to fit the sign language. I even suggested they could fit me in the conductor category but that wasn't ok either. maybe in the next album I has to clap my hands or something to produce a sound?"
Gramex has paid him royalties when he has been the producer, but he would like to be recognized as an artist, too. "It's not about the money, it's the principle" he concludes. Signmark has been busy ever since his breakthrough and even if he has had a few gigs in Finland over the year, too, he has been busy abroad. "The United States, Uganda, Ethiopia, Ukraine, Bosnia-Herzegovina, France.... Ethiopia was amazing, there were like 5000 people who came to the concert place two days before the concert, how cool is that? In Finland I get a lot of requests from fans from all over the country but the organizers are afraid to book me as they're afraid no one will show up. But music isn't only about hearing, therefor we are planning on new show with light and video effects linked to my sign language " he tells.
Signmark has given deaf and other handicapped people are face in Finland and abroad, and works hard for their support. Show your support to him through his Facebook or website.
And enjoy his videos The letter, Smells like victory and Against the wall. Excellent music, deaf or not!
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