Salka Valsdóttir’s Five Favourite Albums

Salka Valsdóttir is a rapper from Reykjavíkurdætur famous for her flow and sick rhymes. The 101-based cool cat was raised in the theatre, with her father and siblings being actors and her mother a set designer. She knows her way around the stage and will surely bring it on the ongoing Reykjavíkurdætur tour, which travels through Denmark, Norway, Belgium and Spain. She took a quick pause from touring to tell us about her five all-time favourite albums.
Salka performing in London

Patti Smith – ‘Horses’

Patti Smith is probably the first female artist that I got obsessed with. As a result she has sculpted my way of performing and writing music. ‘Horses’ is Patti’s debut album, released in 1975. Her raw vocals and poetry create a very special addition to the whole New York/Max’s Kansas City punk scene. The songs are all powerful in their own way, which makes the album one of my all-time favourites.

https://youtu.be/xxygqSTO1lQ

Kendrick Lamar – ‘untitled unmastered’

Kendrick’s latest album has a lot of elements that I really like. Some of the soundscapes remind me bit of David Bowie’s ‘Blackstar’, only with Kendrick’s rythmical and lyrical skills on top of it all. There is something really fresh about this album and the songs are all untitled so you kind of have to listen to the whole thing, which you won’t regret.

dj. flugvél og geimskip – ‘Glamúr í geimnum’

This is one of my favourite Icelandic albums. There is something magical about the world of dj. flugvél og geimskip, some mixture of fun, childlike spirit and nostalgic, melancholy sadness. This album is full of fun and emotion!

Little Simz – ‘A Curious Tale of Trials + Persons’

Simz is my favourite British rapper. This is her latest album, where she raises questions about fame and the consequences of success. It is kind of a concept album but the songs are still very different and interesting. Her lyrics are brilliantly put together and her flow is often breathtaking.

Risaeðlan – ‘Efta!’

Since the comeback of Risaeðlan at Aldrei Fór Ég Suður, I’ve been rediscovering their brilliant songwriting. Halldóra Geirharðsdóttir and Magga Stína have vocal elements that never cease to make a song interesting! Add a saxophone and the violin and you’ve really got something special and timeless.