Rapalogeiksi

Rapalogeiksi is a Finnish musical duo comprising rapper Arto Salinen and folk guitarist Miina Korhonen, founded in 2016 in Oulu. The group gained attention for blending trap beats with traditional Sami joik melodies, creating a distinctive hybrid sound that bridges contemporary hip‑hop and Nordic folk traditions. Their influences range from UK drill and American trap to Finnish folk legends, and they use bilingual lyrics in Finnish and Northern Sámi to reflect both urban and indigenous cultural identities.

The duo released their debut EP *Jää* in 2017, followed by the full‑length album *Talaa – The Pulse of the North* in 2019. Critics praised the album for its sociopolitical commentary on Arctic climate change and cultural preservation. The track *Sovelluksen Runo* topped the Finnish iTunes hip‑hop chart for twelve consecutive weeks. In 2021 Rapalogeiksi performed at the Ruisrock festival, drawing an audience of over fifteen thousand and collaborating with international acts such as the Canadian duo Noah and the Whale.

Rapalogeiksi is also known for its activist stance; it partners with environmental NGOs, hosts workshops for youth music education, and advocates for indigenous rights and sustainable development. As of 2024 the duo remains an influential force in Finland’s evolving music scene, inspiring a new generation of artists to merge traditional motifs with contemporary genres.

Sources: Finnish Music Association, The Nordic Journal of Popular Music, Ruisrock Festival Archives.