In this episode of Long Take: Life as an Artist, we meet young Bangladeshi hip-hop artists Gold Cube, Paital, and RizwanOnTheBeat. Through their lyrics and beats, they tackle social issues and shed light on the challenges young people face in Bangladesh. Tune in now on Spotify or YouTube!

We meet Nirob, also known as Gold Cube, along with Paital and Rizwan, at the home of their local idol, Skibkhan—listen to the episode featuring him here. Together, we explore Puran Dhaka, the Old City of Dhaka, where they were born, live, and work—a place they are deeply proud of. Through hip hop, they strive to represent the people of their neighborhood and the generation of college students in Bangladesh, who often face limited opportunities, as they explain in the interview.

The three wield rap as a powerful weapon against negativity. Their international influences include iconic American artists such as Ice Cube (whose name inspired the "Gold Cube" moniker), Dr. Dre, Kanye West, and the beat-producing collective Internet Money, led by Taz Taylor. RizwanOnTheBeat produces a podcast and creates content for bdhiphop, having previously contributed to Desihiphop.com and BeatsBangla.

This interview took place during Sheikh Hasina's 15-year tenure as Prime Minister, which ended in August 2024 when she reportedly fled to India following massive protests against her regime. Gold Cube was actively involved in these protests and reportedly went into hiding for a time as authorities sought him.

A Podcast by Norient

Host: Thomas Burkhalter

Sound: Daniel Jakob, Melodies In My Head

Mix and Mastering: Daniel Jakob

Graphic Design (Cover): Pamuditha Zen Anjana

Editorial support: The Norient team + Rebecca Favale

Support in Dhaka: Kazi Tahsin Agaz Apurbo

Funding: Pro Helvetia, srks Stiftung für Radio und Kultur Schweiz

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For a more experimental listening experience, check out the highly produced podcast TIMEZONES on Norient. You can also explore Burkhalter’s latest project, Melodies In My Head, where interview excerpts are transformed into song lyrics.