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Reason for Warning: This article briefly discusses drugs and sexually suggestive topics. It also has minor mentions of religious sexual abuse. Reader discretion is advised.
Wixa (sometimes also spelt as Wiksa or Vixa) is an electronic musical genre and social movement that was popular in the countries of Central Europe during the late 90s and 2000s,[1] particularly in Poland, where it is currently going through a revival thanks to Rave-themed events.[2] It is influenced by Hardcore Techno which originally came from Germany, but also various styles of House and Trance music like Hard House and Stupid House, Eurotrance, Hard Dance and Hands Up. In Poland, one collective/movement that is becoming increasingly popular is WIXAPOL, who brought back some old-school music styles like Gabber, Hardbass or Techno. The club Ekwador played an important role in its creation. It has also been described as a new subculture under the name "Rejwy"[3] (roughly meaning Rave).
The term "Wixa" is thought to be derived from the German word Wichser[4] which quite literally translates to "wanker". This is likely because during the 90s, people who enjoyed Hardcore Techno, Trance or Techno (which were German cultural exports at the time) were seen as "weird", "sexually depraved", "satanist" or frowned upon by a major part of Polish society because of the drugs and sexual activity that was prevalent in Rave events, although that attitude has changed over time. A related word in the Polish language is "wiksowaÄ", which means to party hard. With that being implied, alcohol, drugs and sexuality also tend to be involved in Wixa parties. In Polish, the collective members of the subculture are usually called Wiksy, although in some specific regions of Poland they are known as "Jadza", "Rurka" or "Belka". Another common term is Manieczki, which references the town of Manieczki, where the Ekwador nightclub is located.
History[]
"We are into bad taste, bad stereotypes, bad aesthetics. Club music and techno in Poland had a very bad reputation for a long time, so we like to embrace everything. Weâre post-shame." â DJ TORRENTZ.EU
Wixa emerged as a reaction to how Techno and Rave music used to be considered a taboo topic in Polish society during the 90s. It was regarded as "satanist", "sexually degenerated" or "criminal" by many people. Most of these opinions prevailed in Poland because of media campaigns by the Catholic Church in the country. However, when Poland officially joined the European Union, these attitudes have shifted because there was more interaction with Rave scenes from other countries (such as that of Germany or the Netherlands) and combated these stigmas reinforced by Catholicism. Nowadays, Techno remains as a popular genre in the country.
Some of the first nightclubs to develop the Wixa phenomenom in Poland were the Ekwador nightclub located in Manieczki, Greater Poland (a fairly small settlement/town). They popularized some shouts like "Jazda! Jazda! Jazda!" (Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!) and some defining features of their shows were fluorescent clothing, UV gloves and glowsticks. Some of the parties are renowned for their quirky fashion, such as people dressing up as firefighters, robots or aliens and wearing safety clothing.[5] Other interesting aspects of Wixa fashion are gas masks, surgical masks, fluorescent vests and fashion inspired by the Gabber movement of the Netherlands. However, as mentioned before, drugs and sexual undertones are also prevalent within the subculture, particularly ecstasy, amphetamine and mephedrone. Unity is also emphasized in Wixa parties, regardless of social class or ideology.
Meme Culture & Papacore[]
Wixa's growing popularity among Polish teenagers is reflected in its online presence, where modern music videos and Instagram accounts often incorporate elements of Polish internet humor and meme culture. DJ SPORTY SPICE explains that the WIXAPOL record label was established as a response to the seriousness that used to be prevalent inÂĄ the Polish Techno and House scene. Several accounts, including WIXAPOL's, actively share and reblog memes on platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
Wixa meme culture often satirizes Polish figures like John Paul II, a prominent figure in online humor. This is exemplified by the "JP2GMD" meme format (which is loosely translated as "John Paul II rapes little kids"),[6] which plays on the pope's cultural status as a national hero while acknowledging that many young Poles don't identify with him at all, especially considering that cases of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church have recently been talked about more openly in Europe. This has led to the emergence of a niche Wixa subgenre called "Papacore", which incorporates samples of John Paul II's voice into old-school Gabber tracks. Additionally, some collectives like WIXAPOL utilize elements of dark humor and political satire, although it's used in a lighthearted way since it has always been very prevalent in Polish comedy throughout history.
Fashion[]
Under construction
Music[]
Under construction
Musical Artists[]
- Clubbasse
- DJ Hazel
- DJ Kris
- DJ Sporty Spice
- DJ TORRENTZ.EU
- Energy 2000 Mix 07.2007
- Eurodanek
- Gridlock 3000
- Indecorum
- MIKOUAJ REJW
- Mr Bronkz Pres. Bronkz Brothers
- Pan MichaĆ i Komputery
- Stock Wudeczka
- Turbowixa Records
- ZbĂłje
Record Labels/Collectives[]
- WIXAPOL
Songs[]
- Aleja Rejwu by Indecorum
- Babushka by Indecorum
- Eden by EURODANEK
- Falkor's Return by Indecorum
- Fire In My Body by Indecorum
- GURNICZO HUTNICZA ORKIESTRA JEBNIENTA by SERAPH & DR SPEED
- HEYYYYY SOKOLY (WIXAPOL ANTHEM) by WIXAPOL
- IDE NA WIXAPOL by KOCIACZEK
- If I Die by Indecorum
- JEBAX by EURODANEK
- JTM MORDEAUX by WIXAPOL
- KURWO DZIWKO PIZDO SZMATO by Stock Wudeczka
- Mlekovita Reklama by Stock Wudeczka
- MOJA ERA by WIXAPOL, Eurodanek & DJ G*psy
- MONIKA 420 by KOCIACZEK
- PRAWY DO LEWEGO by Batashi x MADD
- PSY by KOCIACZEK
- SZCZENSCIE by KOCIACZEK
- vixa pixa lewy pas pizda ogien gaz by Vvap & Ykso
- WCHJ (REMIX ZAJEBI$TY) by WIXAPOL & KINNY ZIMMER
- WIXPLOSION by WIXAPOL & DER OWNER
- W Ruchu CaĆy Czas by EURODANEK & Kicia
Media[]
Events[]
- Ekwador
- WIXAPOL
Meme Creators[]
- Piesapol (Dogpol)
- Aleksander (Dogecore)
- Monika (Matka Boska Kapslokowa)
Criticism[]
Wixa sometimes faces criticism for its association with excessive drug and alcohol use, as well as sexually suggestive themes. Some of these critiques originate from notable members of the Dutch Trance scene, which had similar elements in the past, albeit less prominently. These critics argue that the behavior exhibited within the perfomances are inappropriate in nightclubs, and should not be considered part of the larger clubbing culture, but rather a distinct Polish "cultural phenomenon". They consider DJ sets in this genre to be irrelevant to the social implications of participating in the subculture. However, Wixa also has strong supporters who credit it with revitalizing and significantly contributing to the growth of the Polish EDM scene.
Gallery[]
Music Videos[]
References[]
- â Wixa on last.fm
- â "Raving At 200 BPM: Inside Polandâs Neo-Gabber Underground" on Electronic Beats
- â "Nowe Subkultury: REJWY" on f5.pl (in Polish)
- â "Art Raves, Dogs & Club Ekwador: The Curious World of Polish Techno" on culture.pl
- â Wiksa on Wikipedia (Polish)
- â "Raving At 200 BPM: Inside Polandâs Neo-Gabber Underground" on Electronic Beats