Bibiza embraces 'Rocknrollstar' image ahead of new album release

Austrian artist Bibiza, whose real name is Franz, is preparing to release his fourth album, signaling a shift from his cloud-rap origins towards a self-proclaimed "Rocknrollstar" persona. This evolution was hinted at during a recent concert in Vienna's Metastadt, attended by 8,000 fans.

The performance featured more expansive movements, shriller guitar sounds, and a more direct, sometimes simplistic, form of audience engagement, drawing comparisons to DJ Ötzi's popular phrases. The introduction of two female singers added a layer of reinforcement and irony to Bibiza's messages, reminiscent of ancient Greek avenging goddesses.

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I hate and love you because you are the way you are.

At 27, the Vienna-based artist explores his complex relationship with his hometown in songs like "Ode an Wien." His lyrics convey a mix of "hate and love" for the city, acknowledging its dual nature. This ambivalence mirrors the way figures like Helmut Qualtinger, through his portrayal of Viennese life, captured the city's unique, often contradictory, idyll. Bibiza's "hässliche Liebe" (ugly love) for Vienna is evident in lines like "You can be so cold to me (even when the sun shines)," followed by a plea, "Please make sure I don't freeze in you."

Bibiza, who has recently gained airtime on Austrian radio station Ö3, now finds himself in demand, with many seeking to connect with him. He often uses the allure of "cocaine" and related euphemisms in his lyrics, presenting himself as a seducer who leads a "ten out of ten" woman onto the dance floor, promising escapism. His music, while rooted in mainstream templates, is characterized by a slow-motion flow and lyrical clichés reassembled in novel ways, suggesting a deliberate play with distance and self-presentation.

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You can be so cold to me (even when the sun shines). Please make sure I don't freeze in you.