Tzanca Urugano

Tzanca Urugano is a Romanian hip-hop act fronted by Andrei Velcu, who performs under that name. They came up in the Berceni neighborhood of Bucharest, and their music often reflects that background with lyrics about hardship and street life. In 2018, they put out 'Banii,' a single that caught on quickly in Romania and racked up millions of YouTube views. The song's blunt take on money and success seemed to connect with listeners who felt overlooked by more polished pop.

Their sound is raw and direct, and they've faced plenty of criticism for it. People have called out their lyrics for being vulgar or glorifying violence, and the group has been a polarizing presence in Romanian music as a result. They've kept releasing material since 'Banii,' with tracks like 'Luna' and 'Nimeni Nu-i Perfect' following in the next few years.

Alongside Velcu, the group includes vocalists Minune Alexandru and Adi de la Vâlcea, with Papuc handling production. They don't smooth out their edges much, and that's part of what their fans respond to. Whether you find their work compelling or problematic, they've carved out a space that feels distinctly theirs in Romania's hip-hop scene.