The blog translation project High Peaks Pure Earth has recently focused on “music with a message” by translating the lyrics of Tibetan songs from music videos that have been uploaded onto the internet.

On March 10 this year, the blog presented a hip hop video titled “New Generation” by the popular group known as “Yudrug” in Tibetan (“Green Dragon” in English). Yudrug had first released the video on their blog the previous month. According to High Peaks Pure Earth:

This bold new style of musical expression heard in “New Generation” has been quite controversial in Tibetan cyberspace, with Tibetan bloggers praising Yudrug for their outspoken lyrics, but some also criticising Yudrug for adopting a style that is seen as “too western”. Whatever your musical taste may be, the song is undeniably powerful and energetic with a rousing chorus:

The new generation has a resource called youth
The new generation has a pride called confidence
The new generation has an appearance called playfulness
The new generation has a temptation called freedom

Indeed Yudrug's “New Generation” is a demonstration of an upsurge in online activity by and about Tibetan identity, as described by an earlier blogpost in High Peaks Pure Earth. The music is full of pride and confidence. Here is the video with English subtitles:

“New Generation” by Yudrug (Green Dragon) from HPeaks on Vimeo

Apart from Yudrug, High Peaks Pure Earth also introduced a young Tibetan singer, Tashi Dhondup, to its readers. Tashi Dhondup is from the Amdo area of Tibet and is currently serving 15 months of re-education through labour for “crimes” related to his music. His 2008 CD “Torture Without Trace” sold out in thousands in Tibet. Below are his music videos:

“1958 – 2008″ by Tashi Dhondup from HPeaks on Vimeo.

“Unable To Meet” by Tashi Dhondup from HPeaks on Vimeo.

“For That I Shed My Tears” by Tashi Dhondup from HPeaks on Vimeo.

“Torture Without Trace” by Tashi Dhondup from HPeaks on Vimeo.

“No Regrets” by Tashi Dhondup from HPeaks on Vimeo.