SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2015 Metal innovators Korn still find ‘therapy’ years on hen Korn released its debut album in attitude of alternative rock scenes as well as 1994, the emotional rawness and vocals that swung from metal growls to rap. Whip-hop undertones sparked talk of “It was an important record and we had no the birth of a unique genre, “nu metal.” More idea we were making it,” Davis said. “At that than two decades on, nu metal may no longer time, the ‘90s, there was a lot of rock music, a be new, but Korn remains prolific, with a fresh lot of hip-hop. Everybody listened to all kinds tour starting Thursday and an album in the of music, so it was for us just to incorporate all works for next year. that,” he said. Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit and Singer Jonathan Davis, famed for his Evanescence also were often described as intense performances, said there was a simple new metal, finding particular success in the reason for his robust output-music, for him, is late 1990s and 2000s. therapy. “I’m going crazy. I’ve been at home for a while, we haven’t been playing much, Love of electronica and I need my therapy,” Davis told AFP as he Korn has put out 11 studio albums and prepared for the latest tour. “I go out there Davis said that the band would work on a and get that aggression out, and that’s how new one after the tour with the aim of a mid- Her Royal Highness Princess Sikhanyiso Dlamini of Swaziland (center), the eldest daughter of I’ve managed to be happy in life,” he said. 2016 release. Davis said the next album the king of Swaziland, sits under a tree during an interview in Luve, Swaziland. — AFP The therapeutic aspect of music also would be “heavy” with “more of the tradition- explains how Davis can go nightly before al, old-school Korn sound” but would also fea- strangers and perform songs of extraordinari- ture electronic elements. Swazi princess weaves royal ly personal nature. “Daddy,” the final track on One recent album, 2011’s “The Path of Korn’s 1994 self-titled debut album, is a nearly Totality,” showed growing experimentalism 10-minute remembrance of being molested as Korn brought in dubstep beats-rhythms raps in defense of monarchy as a child, the song steadily building in anger borrowed from a type of electronic dance as Davis screams and sobs. “Faget,” another music that originated in South London. Davis itting on a cushion under a tree on a hot With an estimated 63 percent of Swazis living autobiographical song on the album with the himself has gone further into electronica in a and dusty farm with a reality TV show crew below the poverty line, Sikhanyiso says she power to make a listener uncomfortable, side career as a DJ with the stage-name Sstanding by, Swaziland’s royal princess hopes to see development funds serve the peo- describes the bullying Davis endured growing JDevil. Sikhanyiso Dlamini lays down a quick-fire rap. ple on the ground and not the politicians. “It’s a up in the southern California city of In contrast to many metalheads’ disdain “Where’s my next breath? The one that you problem when you put greedy people in pow- Bakersfield where he would wear eyeliner in for electronic dance music, Davis is full of promised me. Majesty of your faithfulness, and er,” she said. “And it’s a problem in a society like the New Wave style of the 1980s. praise for the fast-growing genre. “I really like honesty,” she sings, a stream of lyrics dripping Swaziland where the ultimate authority then the electronic scene. It’s like the hippies-it’s all off her tongue. gets blamed for everything that happens From growling to rapping about love and dancing,” he said. Electronica Wearing white sneakers, a faux tiara, and a beneath the surface.” But the royal family has Korn is performing the album in its entire- is not the only side genre for Davis who says traditional wrap around her body, the eldest been accused of being the country’s biggest ty on the monthlong US tour that opens in he also writes songs daily that include jazz. child of King Mswati III is something of a cultural drain of wealth, with a reported household Chicago. The shows follow extensive US and But he won’t share most of his music. custodian in Swaziland, one of the world’s last budget in 2014 of $61 million. European dates since 2014 to mark the 20th “I don’t ever want to stop making music,” absolute monarchies. Around her, tens of thou- anniversary of “Korn.” “I look at that record he said. “I have so many projects and so many sands of girls and young woman prepared to ‘Luxury lifestyle’ now and think it’s cool, but it’s our first songs that I never put out.” Davis relishes that travel to the nearby royal village for the Reed In a 2009 interview with her campus newspa- record... and I think we’ve gotten a lot better,” he can still play songs just for himself with no Dance, an annual virginity celebration in which per at California’s Biola University, Sikhanyiso said Davis, who is 44. But Davis felt that the risk of a house guest recognizing them. they dance topless in front of their king. said the only perk of being a princess was “the album struck a chord lyrically with fans, many “Because the minute I put it out, it’s not mine Sikhanyiso would be at their head-the chief ability to afford things, to afford a luxurious of whom who “were going through a hard anymore.” — AFP maiden of the small, land-locked nation where lifestyle”. A taste for bling was exposed last year time and needed a way out from it.” traditional ways of life still hold sway. when SwaziLeaks, an anti-monarchist Twitter Korn toured for nearly two years incessant- She says the steady flow of beats in old Swazi account, posted photos of young royals party- ly to promote the debut album, with the music first opened her to the world of hip hop, ing abroad. band’s success confirmed when it opened for and allowed her to build a local reputation as a Among them was Sikhanyiso, posing glam- metal legend Ozzy Osbourne. But Korn rap musician under the moniker “Princess orously by a pool at the Intercontinental Hotel diverged from the heavy metal prevalent in Pashu”. “The rhythm that I have from hip hop in Cannes. She made headlines again when the 1980s by incorporating the introspective derives from the cultural traditions that we have when she engaged in a debate on Twitter with here in Swaziland. They’re what inspire me,” she the People’s United Democratic Movement told AFP. “That already sounds like rap. That’s (PUDEMO), a pro-democracy organization which where we got the rhythm.” was banned after a series of small bomb attacks in 2008. Rap for royalty Sikhanyiso’s account was shut down days lat- Educated in England and the United States er, but she says she is always open to discus- and with a Masters in digital communications sions. “In Swaziland, we have a saying: people from Sydney University, the 28-year-old now sits don’t go in one direction like water. People are on her father’s powerful advisory council. And allowed to have their own opinions on things, the royal life winds its way into her lyrics. In a and it’s good,” she said. “Actually, Swaziland is music video for her fawning ballad “Hail Your the most democratic country in the world,” she Majesty”, she appears on camera as the quintes- added, explaining that the monarchy fulfilled sential Disney princess, rapping and singing her the wishes of the people and the people wanted father’s praises. a king. “My heart is stirred by a noble theme. A hum- Getting up from her cushion, with praise ble servant, I recite my verse for the king,” she singers crying out all around her, Sikhanyiso sings in a style similar to US superstar Nicki made her way singing and stamping to lead the Minaj, some of the lyrics taken from the Book of tens of thousands of waiting girls towards the Psalms. “The time has come and the time is now, royal village. “I don’t feel other people should for King Mswati’s dream to manifest within.” It is coerce this kingdom to change what it a message that fits with the political situation in believes,” she said above the din. “You see all Swaziland, where the prime minister and the these girls here. Nobody has compelled them cabinet are appointed by the all-powerful king, to be here. “They want to celebrate virginity who has been on the throne since 1986. and their lives. They’re here for a brighter Political parties are banned from taking part future. And they feel that future is with the in elections, when only candidates approved by monarchy.” — AFP chiefs loyal to the king can stand for office. Sikhanyiso-who heads a women’s empower- ment foundation-does not claim all is perfect in her father’s kingdom.