TRULAUS
TRULAUS (stylized in all caps), real name Ezechiel Lantou, is a rapper from Lanborg, born in -8Ð. Overall, TRULAUS sings in English, his above average knowledge of the English language is thanks to his father being from the eastern Lanborg Empire, which today is a seperate region and speaks a mix of tribal languages and Anglish, resulting in English.
First album
TRULAUS' music style changes over the course of his life, also different albums have different instruments and sounds. His first studio album, "Me against the world", uses very simple beats and instruments and his lyrics were also considered simple. He mostly sang about his romantical life and didn't make him particularily famous.
Second album
TRULAUS' second studio album, "Love is Hate", also sings about his romance life, yet using traditional Høvemark instruments, for which he has travelled across his country. This album also contains collaborations with big artists in the EDM and electronic area, famous for their Raves, which made the album famous for its mix of electronic, hiphop and folk. Critics praised the album for the unique instrumentals, but called the lyrics very "uneducated and dry". However, the fame TRULAUS gained from this allowed him to make a short tour, with stops in Lanborg, Åranvik, Thorildsby, Lyvan and Pantoborg. These concerts were mostly in small clubs.
Third album
TRULAUS' third album, "To pimp a pigeon" was a platinum-hit according to critics, especially for his deep lyrics. TRULAUS says the better lyrics are due to a 2-year long break and therapy. The album also uses traditional Høvemark instruments and sings about discrimination against tribal population, which he hasn't personally experienced, in comparison to his father. TRULAUS has said: "Therapy has helped me sing about my father's locked away trauma, racism against our people. I never experienced it but knew he was hiding something deep inside him." in an interview with a member of Lanborg Music Critique.
The name "To pimp a pigeon" is derived from the Høvemark and tribal national animal - the pigeon. TRULAUS chose the name to show the exploitation (pimping) of something beautiful (pigeon). This is supposed to show the past exploitation of tribal population for Einar's dictatorship.
After the release of his album, he toured the Commonwealth again, but performing in some cities multiple times.
Fourth album
TRULAUS' fourth album, "I AM FREE" (stylized in all caps), uses less national instruments and shifts to a more artificial style of music - however some traditional instruments are still present. In the album, TRULAUS sings about the War of Dignity and how it induced trauma into everyone and how his experience of life was changed by it and anti-war rebells. The album was a cooperation with the Lanborg University, pairing it with an exhibition on Erich Reimer. 2 weeks before the album released publically, it was availible in the exhibition, just like merch. TRULAUS also sings about Erich Reimer as an anti-war rebell. The poster advertising the exhibition is inspired by TRULAUS' I AM FREE cover and became an important part of modern pop-culture in Lanborg. Critics call the album "Very good, yet incomparable to "To pimp a pigeon".", but believe the album release was the most sucessful in hip-hop as a whole.
As there were collaborations with big rave producers, TRULAUS was very present at the rave scene in 25Ð. After his intense rave period, he once again made a tour visiting every city, often performing the local artists he collaborated with.