The HU named UNESCO Artist for Peace
Acclaimed Mongolian Rock Band Honoured by UNESCO in Paris
Ahead of UK Tour Including Huge Show at London’s Roundhouse
Image Copyright © UNESCO/Christelle ALIX
Top row from right to left: Jaya – Nyamjantsan Galsanjamts (tsuur; throat singer), Gala – Galbadrakh Tsendbaatar (band leader; horse fiddle; throat singer), Dashka – Dashdondog Bayarmagnai (producer holding the document), Audrey Azoulay UNESCO General Director, Enkush – Enkhsaikhan Batjargal (horse fiddle; throat singer), Odko – Odbayar Gantumur (drummer), Temka – Temuulen Naranbaatar ( tovshuur player; throat singer).
Below from right to left: Unu – Unumunkh Maralkhuu (percussion drummer), Davaa – Nyamdavaa Byambaa (bass guitarist), Jambaa – Jambaldorj Ayush (solo guitarist).
Friday 25 November: Today Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, has named acclaimed Mongolian folk metal band The HU as a UNESCO Artist for Peace at a ceremony at the Organization’s Headquarters in Paris.
After Azoulay met the eight members of The HU during her official visit to Mongolia in August 2022, their musical style and ideas immediately resonated with UNESCO’s values and work.
The HU are the first band from the rock genre to receive this accolade from UNESCO, making this honour even more special. They join a family of artists committed to bringing cultures together and supporting artistic creation, such as Amine Kouider, Valery Gergiev and Scott Momaday, plus the UK’s own Sarah Brightman and Dame Shirley Bassey.
Founded in 2016 in Ulaanbaatar, The HU, who have thousands of fans around the world, have created a unique musical genre they call “Hunnu Rock”. It fuses rock and heavy metal with styles of traditional Mongolian music, such as the art of Khöömei (throat singing), the tsuur flute and the Morin Khuur (horse-headed fiddle), all of which have been inscribed by UNESCO on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
In naming the group, The HU as a UNESCO Artist for Peace today, the Director-General recognizes their role in promoting and transmitting this heritage. In return, they will pledge to act as spokespersons for UNESCO’s programmes in this field, participating in events and relaying the Organization’s messages.
Band leader Gala says: “Mongolians have utmost respect for our history, culture and language that were left to us from thousands years ago through our elders and ancestors. The HU band’s goal and purpose is to first perform a unique genre of music that gives strength and power every time you hear. Secondly, to show the world the Mongolian nomadic environmentally aware livelihood that was passed down generations ago, and to inspire others to live minimalistic life and enjoy life to its fullest. UNESCO bestowing on the HU the ‘Artist for Peace’ designation shows their appreciation towards cultural diversity and heritage pieces that are of great value to Mongolians. The partnership between The HU band and UNESCO will bring awareness towards every culture that is distinguished by their unique heritage and core values, so we are excited to be part of a movement that can improve and change so many lives.”
UNESCO’s Director General, Audrey Azoulay, says: “Traditional knowledge has much to teach us, for instance in appreciating the beauty and fragility of nature. This message is at the heart of the HU’s songs and UNESCO’s work. I am delighted that we will be able to count on The HU’s voice to share this conviction on the global stage, using the power of music as a universal language, especially with young people, who will be the ones to take these values into the future.”
The band’s name, The “HU” corresponds to the root of the word “human being” in the Mongolian language. With this name, the group claim their humanist commitment. Through their music, they address the themes of gender equality, respect for difference and the importance of protecting nature. They also promote linguistic diversity by using endangered regional dialects.
In recognition of their worldwide success and their contribution to the promotion of Mongolian culture, the members of The HU were also awarded the Cultural Envoy of Mongolia certificate in 2019, and the Order of Genghis Khan, the highest state award, in 2020.
This huge honour from UNESCO comes after releasing their anticipated second studio album RUMBLE OF THUNDER in September this year, with 12 tracks that connect the world to Mongolian culture and its unique core values of natural preservation and spiritual connection with the earth. These core values are on full display in the heavy-rock album along with deeply meaningful lyrics that uplift Mongol people.
Over the past year The HU have released numerous music videos, each spectacularly shot and aesthetically beautiful. Visuals for tracks ‘This Is Mongol’, ‘Black Thunder’ and ‘Bii Biyelgee’ incorporate their Mongolian values and tell powerful stories, whilst showcasing the band’s extraordinary music.
The HU continue their Black Thunder Tour around Europe, performing a huge setlist including recent single ‘This Is Mongol’ and also ‘Yuve Yuve Yu’ from their first album The Gereg. They perform in Paris tonight before heading to Amsterdam and the UK. With 20 out of 33 shows sold out, and the rest with limited tickets remaining, The HU kick off their UK shows in Manchester on 28 Nov, and finish in London with a huge show at the Roundhouse on 9 Dec. They will also perform in Leeds, Nottingham, Cardiff, Birmingham, Dublin, Belfast and Glasgow. For more show information please visit: www.thehuofficial.com
Quotes:
Wind instrument player Jaya says:
“We sincerely appreciate the selection from UNESCO and understand the importance of the designation. From a very young age we have been practising our traditional music techniques and instruments such as long song, throat singing, horse head fiddle, tsuur, tovshuur, and we deeply know the significance of sharing one’s culture around the world and understanding the impact it has on rest of the society. Our music has profound ideas that are understood in the subconscious mind while delivering hard rock, ethereal tunes. On the surface level, our lyrics and music seem to talk about basic and yet important principles of human beings. On another level, the preservation of cultures that are in danger of going extinct and us being the representation for groups who have slightly different world perspectives than the modern world gives us huge inspiration and purpose as artists. Therefore, we will do everything in our power to be the inspiration for the cultures that are under-represented and work with UNESCO to bring more attention that they deserve.”
Producer Dashka says:
“The Hunnu Rock genre’s fundamental values are based on creating safe space in the modern music world, compared to different traditional music styles that are only appreciated by certain geographical regions, that have many cultural values to its techniques and history to its instruments. UNESCO recognizing that effort and selecting The HU as their cultural ambassadors stands with what we believe in – that what we are trying to accomplish is important to not only Mongolians, but all nations around the world. In any tradition the lores and music carries so much of their uniqueness and world view, and everybody agrees that sometimes the only way to describe ones’ perspective is through music. Our goals and priorities will always be to create amazing music and safeguard the pieces of culture that were passed down to us from generations ago.”
About The HU
In 2019, an NPR story put a spotlight on “a band from Mongolia that blends the screaming guitars of heavy metal and traditional Mongolian guttural singing,” accurately highlighting the cultural importance and unique musical identity of THE HU. Founded in 2016 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, THE HU, Gala, Jaya, Temka, and Enkush, are a modern rock group rooted in the tradition of their homeland. The band’s two most popular videos, ‘Yuve Yuve’ and ‘Wolf Totem’, were produced by the band’s producer Dashka. The band’s name translates to the Mongolian root word for human being, and their unique approach blends instruments like the Morin Khuur (horsehead fiddle), Tovshuur (Mongolian guitar), Tumur Khuur (jaw harp) and throat singing with contemporary sounds, creating a unique sonic profile that they call “Hunnu Rock.”
Their debut album, 2019 ‘s The Gereg, debuted at #1 on the World Album and Top New Artist Charts. With it, the band have accumulated over 250 million combined streams and video views to date and have received critical acclaim from the likes of Billboard, NPR, GQ, The Guardian, The Independent, Revolver, and even Sir Elton John himself.
Proving their global appeal, THE HU have sold out venues across the world in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, with scheduled festival appearances at Coachella, Lollapalooza, Download Festival, and more, creating a community of fans from all walks of life. They quickly grabbed the attention of the industry, leading to collaborations with Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach and Lzzy Hale of Halestorm. And most recently, the band received praise from fans and critics for their Mongolian rendition of Metallica’s ‘Sad But True’, which Metallica picked up on and invited them to record ‘Through The Never’ for their Metallica Blacklist album released in 2021 alongside other high-profile guest artists like Miley Cyrus, Chris Stapleton, Phoebe Bridgers, J Balvin, St. Vincent, and so many more. The band has also explored eclectic ways to reach audiences with their sound, most notably writing and recording music for EA Games’ Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.
Connect with THE HU
Website | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok
About UNESCO
UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It seeks to build peace through international cooperation in education, scientific collaboration, cultural dialogue and the free flow of information. More information at www.unesco.org
About BETTER NOISE MUSIC
BETTER NOISE MUSIC is the premiere independent music label under BETTER NOISE ENTERTAINMENT, a content creation and marketing company that produces music, books, films, documentaries, TV shows, theatrical productions, and tours. Better Noise Music (formerly Eleven Seven Music), founded in 2006 by music industry veteran and independent pioneer Allen Kovac, focuses on artist development and has grown into a music industry independent powerhouse, with a roster including Five Finger Death Punch, Asking Alexandria, Bad Wolves, Dirty Heads, Nothing More, THE HU, AWOLNATION, All Good Things, From Ashes To New, Cory Marks, and Fire From The Gods. Partnering with FUGA, AMPED and Membran, the company operates a global marketing and distribution platform with offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Berlin, Paris, Toronto and Sydney.
In 2021, Better Noise Music dominated Billboard’s Year End charts in the rock space, landing at #1 on the Mainstream Rock Imprint, Hard Rock Songs Imprint, Hard Rock Songs Label charts and ranked as one of the top Mainstream Rock Labels for the year.
For information, visit: http://betternoise.com/
CONNECT WITH BETTER NOISE