Turisti says racist car stickers had become part of everyday life

Rap artist Turisti says he felt nothing when he found racist stickers attached to his car, a reaction he described as worrying in an interview with Yle.

Turisti, whose real name is Harlova Vukulu, is a musician of Congolese background. The stickers read “return migration or extinction”.

“It did not make me feel anything, and that is the concern: that you get used to it,” Turisti said on Yle’s morning programme.

Turisti has been Spotify’s most-listened-to artist in Finland for the past two years. Despite his success, he said he wanted to remember his roots.

During his upcoming tour, he plans to support charity work so that children and young people who may not be able to afford concert tickets can attend his shows. He recalled that his own family could not always afford all the activities he wanted to pursue as a child, and that he spent a lot of time at youth centres. One youth centre enabled him to visit Särkänniemi.

Asked what he would say to young people who experience racism and wonder what they can achieve in Finland, Turisti said that anything was possible.

“You must not let things or words get into your head. I want to prove to all young people that you can do anything if you really want to,” he said.

Turisti returned to the stage at the Blockfest festival in Tampere after a year-long break. He said that his stress and worries disappeared during the performance and that he felt as if he were in a trance.

>The artist is known for his distinctive style, including high platform shoes and red hair. He said the bold look reflected his Congolese background.

Turisti will begin an arena tour in November. He said he had dreamed of becoming a star since childhood.