Magazine
This Syrian rapper risked everything for freedom. Now he wants the world to listen
From activist to outcast — In his homeland of Syria, Mohammad Abu Hajar is considered a fugitive – a political musician who wore out his welcome. But in Berlin, where he lives in exile, the right to exist poses a new set of challenges.
Written by: Lara Atallah
Shaun Ryder: The hilarious life lessons of a cultural hero
Pills, thrills and bellyaches — As the face of ‘Madchester’, Shaun Ryder had it all, lost it all, then repeated the cycle just for fun. But after getting clean and mending some wounds, he’s ready to take another crack at cementing his legacy.
Written by: Cian Traynor
Coming of age in a country that doesn't exist
Welcome to Transnistria — Transnistria is a self-proclaimed nation that broke away from Moldova in 1990. Now that its first generation are becoming adults – with few prospects and an economy in free-fall – they’re finding their way in a world that doesn’t recognise their identity.
Written by: Cian Traynor
Iran’s youth are kickstarting a grassroots revolution
Iranian Aliens — In the shadows of the country’s hardline regime, young liberal Iranians – now the majority of the population – are finding creative new ways to rebel.
Written by: Alex Pierce
Cosey Fanni Tutti: fearless provocateur, ultimate outsider
A life less ordinary — Branded a ‘wrecker of civilisation’ by the establishment, Cosey Fanni Tutti is a creative force who ripped up the rules in the realms of sex, music and performance art. Now the rest of the world is finally catching up to her.
Written by: Cian Traynor
The Israeli soldiers breaking their silence, revealing the reality of occupied Palestine
An illegal occupation — Nadav Weiman dreamed of becoming a sniper in the Israeli military, but making that a reality opened his eyes to an unspoken truth: he’d been duped into committing injustice. Now he’s helping others speak out.
Written by: Michael Segalov
The sports hero who disguised herself from the Taliban
Girl Unbound — Maria Toorpakai Wazir has managed to achieve the impossible: rising to stardom as a pro squash player, dressed as a boy, in a place where sticking out can get you killed. Now a film has been made about her life.
Written by: Marta Bausells
Perfume Genius is outrunning his fears, searching for peace
I'll be your mirror... — Outcasts often seek shelter in the music of Perfume Genius. But after finding stability in his own life, Mike Hadreas has realised that sobriety doesn't fix everything. It just casts a harsher light on the underlying problems.
Written by: Laura Snapes
Getting deep with Father John Misty, pop's great philosopher
Total Entertainment Forever — Josh Tillman shot to stardom for his sardonic wit and bare-all songwriting. Now that he's drawn the world's attention, he's got a message for all of us: life is a cosmic joke.
Written by: Cian Traynor
The comedic outsiders behind TV's funniest new show
This Country — After struggling for years in a nowhere town with nothing to do, Charlie and Daisy May Cooper have made a hit comedy series about just that. But as the big time beckons, they're determined to keep their outlier status intact.
Written by: Cian Traynor