Adaam at the Book Fair: Will become more popular

One of the year's young poets at the Book Fair in Gothenburg is the rapper Adaam, who feels that he must take greater responsibility for his rap lyrics. I've realized that I have an influence on people's thinking, he says.

» Updated: September 29 2024

» Published: September 28 2024

Adaam at the Book Fair: Will become more popular
Photo: Fredrik Sandberg/TT

He is currently promoting his new book "Adaam – the poet in the headphones" – a collection of lyrics and reflections aimed at young readers. At the Book Fair, which this year has an extra focus on music, he is also participating in some conversations about hip-hop and lyrics.

The environment at the fair is a bit different from what he is used to otherwise.

Last time I felt this way about an environment was like in school. But not in a bad way, but in a fun way. Like when you're on a field trip, he says.

On the exhibition floor, there are hardly anyone who recognizes him or asks for a photo, at least not since the long queue of young visitors who came to the fair just for his sake has gone home. Being here is part of the plan to reach a wider audience, explains Adaam.

It's to get a broader audience and become more popular. So that not only young people know who I am. Their parents too, and maybe even their grandmother.

"Without killing"

At the same time, he is proud to publish a book and see his words printed on paper. Through the book, he believes that more people can get the chance to listen to what he says instead of just nodding to the music.

A line that needed to be in the book was "You can be a hundred here without killing anyone", that is, without killing anyone. It sounds totally crazy when I say it, but it's actually something that some young people need to hear. Get it?

He has been rapping constantly since he was eleven years old, and since his breakthrough in 2021, he has released three albums and gained a million-strong audience. With his success, he experiences a new feeling of having to take responsibility for his words, he explains.

So, I didn't start rapping to be a role model, actually I don't want to take that responsibility. But, if it's something that they probably listen to day in and day out and that goes into their heads, then it's a responsibility I have to take, he says.

I'm the best myself

But it's not like he's talking down gangsta rappers, he emphasizes.

I'm not talking down on any rapper or how people live. I know there's a struggle, get it? What I'm talking down on is the trend. That's what I don't back.

So, who writes the best lyrics in Sweden?

I have to say I do. That's what a rapper has to say.

But besides myself, Aki has the best lyrics and stories. The best person at doing sick things with rhymes and flow, I would say is Stor.

His real name is Adam Jakobsson. Born in 2002 and has parents from Chile and the USA.

Lives in Valsta in Märsta, north of Stockholm.

Started rapping as a child and broke through in hip-hop Sweden already in his early teens via YouTube and when producer brothers Salazar and rapper Aki discovered him. Started the Valsta collective Grind Gang Music and has collaborated with, among others, VC Barre, Einár, Loam, Dani M, and Veronica Maggio.

Has released the albums "Topboy", "Myror i brallan", and "Trapen till radion" since 2021.

Currently promoting the book "Adaam – the poet in the headphones" and as one of the guests at the Book Fair in Gothenburg.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

The Traitors Wins Program of
1 MIN READ

The Traitors Wins Program of the Year at Sweden's Riagalan Awards

Swedish Authors Call on Culture
1 MIN READ

Swedish Authors Call on Culture Minister to Address Meta's AI Use

Uppsala Pavilion Wins Prestigious Kasper
1 MIN READ

Uppsala Pavilion Wins Prestigious Kasper Salin Architecture Prize

Muse Delays Istanbul Concert to
1 MIN READ

Muse Delays Istanbul Concert to 2026 Over Organizer Concerns

Sabrina Carpenter Shines in Sold-Out
2 MIN READ

Sabrina Carpenter Shines in Sold-Out Stockholm Shows

Michel Houellebecq Debuts Concert at
1 MIN READ

Michel Houellebecq Debuts Concert at Danish Literature Festival

Bruce Springsteen Unveils Seven Lost
1 MIN READ

Bruce Springsteen Unveils Seven Lost Albums in New Box Set

Royal Library to Create National
1 MIN READ

Royal Library to Create National Digital Book Lending Standard

Drake Gains Access to Key
1 MIN READ

Drake Gains Access to Key Documents in Kendrick Lamar Legal Battle

Italian Director Nanni Moretti Stable
1 MIN READ

Italian Director Nanni Moretti Stable After Heart Attack in Rome

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Lena From Appointed Permanent Secretary at Academy of Fine Arts

Ralph Fiennes Steps into Opera
1 MIN READ

Ralph Fiennes Steps into Opera Directing with Eugene Onegin in Paris

Christina Nilsson Shines as Aida
1 MIN READ

Christina Nilsson Shines as Aida at Birgit Nilsson Days in Båstad

Hilma af Klint Foundation Board
1 MIN READ

Hilma af Klint Foundation Board Stays Intact Pending Court Decision

Love is Blind Reunion: Swedish
2 MIN READ

Love is Blind Reunion: Swedish Couples Share Joyful Updates

Incurably Ill Woman's Journey to
3 MIN READ

Incurably Ill Woman's Journey to Fulfill Her Desires Becomes TV Series

Swedish Radio Journalist Åke Pettersson
1 MIN READ

Swedish Radio Journalist Åke Pettersson Passes Away at 77

Swedish House Mafia Joins Denniz
1 MIN READ

Swedish House Mafia Joins Denniz Pop Awards Jury

Medea's Children Returns to Stockholm
1 MIN READ

Medea's Children Returns to Stockholm Stage 50 Years Later

Swedish Violinist Johan Dalene Awarded
1 MIN READ

Swedish Violinist Johan Dalene Awarded Alfvén Society Scholarship

Genre image
1 MIN READ

60s Hitmaker Johnny Tillotson Dies at 84

Culture Minister Unfamiliar with Noted
1 MIN READ

Culture Minister Unfamiliar with Noted Directors Nolan and Widerberg

Swedish Artist Lap-See Lam Wins
1 MIN READ

Swedish Artist Lap-See Lam Wins Prestigious Norwegian Art Prize

Dick Bengtsson's Art Challenges Perceptions
3 MIN READ

Dick Bengtsson's Art Challenges Perceptions at Stockholm Exhibit

Hollywood Remembers Val Kilmer: Tributes
2 MIN READ

Hollywood Remembers Val Kilmer: Tributes Pour in for the Iconic Actor

Tarantino's Hollywood Sequel May Land
1 MIN READ

Tarantino's Hollywood Sequel May Land on Netflix with Fincher Directing

New Films and Series: Minecraft
3 MIN READ

New Films and Series: Minecraft Movie Debuts and More This Week

Susanne Yakes Could Be Chosen
2 MIN READ

Susanne Yakes Could Be Chosen as Listeners' Summer Host on P1

Munich 1972: How Live TV
3 MIN READ

Munich 1972: How Live TV Coverage Changed Journalism Forever

Val Kilmer, Iconic Actor from
2 MIN READ

Val Kilmer, Iconic Actor from Top Gun and Batman, Dies at 65

The Hives Announce New Album
1 MIN READ

The Hives Announce New Album and European Tour Starting October

Meg Westergren Honored with 2023
1 MIN READ

Meg Westergren Honored with 2023 Fatima Prize by Karl Gerhard Society

Authors Demand UK Action on
1 MIN READ

Authors Demand UK Action on Meta Over Alleged Book Copyright Breach

Ane Brun Cancels Istanbul Concert
1 MIN READ

Ane Brun Cancels Istanbul Concert Following Protest Backlash

Marion Brunet Wins Alma Prize
4 MIN READ

Marion Brunet Wins Alma Prize for Young Adult Literature

Oliver Stone to Testify in
1 MIN READ

Oliver Stone to Testify in Congress on New JFK Documents

Maria Montazami and Samir Badran
1 MIN READ

Maria Montazami and Samir Badran Join The Traitors on TV4

Masked Singer Tops TV Ratings
1 MIN READ

Masked Singer Tops TV Ratings with 1.5 Million Viewers

New Beatles Biopics Cast Revealed:
1 MIN READ

New Beatles Biopics Cast Revealed: Mescal, Quinn, Keoghan, Dickinson

World's Largest Children's Book Prize
3 MIN READ

World's Largest Children's Book Prize Set for 1 PM Announcement