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Through time the Romani music changed and transformed into different genres, instruments, and performances, mending a road for professional Romani musicians. They were part of the Bulgarian culture for centuries, performing all over the country and becoming an inseparable part of big Bulgarian celebrations like weddings and other festive occasions. The Romani wedding orchestra became a staple in the Bulgarian culture, playing a very specific “wedding music” that everybody is familiar with.

The Romani musicians play a significant cultural element, build in time, often blending with traditional Bulgarian, Turkish, and other Balkan sounds. Often forming ensembles that include instruments like clarinets, saxophones, and trumpets. There are a lot of popular Romani musicians, some of whom are Ivo Papazov and Yuri Yunakov, playing a crucial role in popularising this kind of music. While not always officially recognised by the state institutions, this music has a strong following by people from the working class.

A new genre emerging from Romani music named “chalga” became very popular in Bulgaria in the post-socialist change after 1989. The lifting of restrictions on broadcasting music that was previously considered “degenerate” gave place to this new music and its often overt themes of sexual liberation and glorification of wealth. It’s a genre of Bulgarian pop music that is influenced by various Balkan and Middle Eastern sounds. It blends traditional Bulgarian music, along with influences from Greek, Serbian, Turkish, and Arabic music, as well as American hip-hop and Puerto Rican reggaeton. It’s a folk-inspired dance music.

Roma and Chalga are closely intertwined, particularly in the Balkan region. This pop-folk genre that has millions of followers in the world is heavily influenced by Roma musical traditions, and it’s often associated with the Bulgarian Roma minority. Like Bulgaria, other Balkan countries have their own style of this pop-folk phenomenon, like ‘’Tallava’’ in Kosovo and Albania, ‘’Manele’’ in Romania, ‘’Turbo-folk’’ in Serbia, and ‘’Cajke’’ in Croatia. It’s a form of musical fusion, taking inspiration from various sources and creating something new and popular, especially among young audience.

Chalga often includes instrumental and vocal forms, featuring instruments like the clarinet, violin, accordion, and darbuka, with sounds inspired by Romani musicians. Including the festival sounds, danceable rhythms, and improvisational style known to their people. While popular, Chalga has also faced criticism and controversy, sometimes due to its association with Roma culture and perceived vulgarity. No matter this, it’s still a genre of music for powerful expression of cultural identity and musical innovation within the Balkans.

There are a lot of very popular Bulgarian-Roma musicians in Chalga. Most notable are Azis and Sofi Marinova, who somewhat put the basis of this music and became one of the most popular singers in this music all over the world. For example, Azis, whose real name is Vasil Boyanov, is of Romani ethnicity. Born and brought up in a modest Roma family in a small town in Bulgaria, he rose to fame by his unique vision and sound. Displaying something very controversial and different for the Bulgarian scene at the time, performing as a drag queen and openly expressing that he is a homosexual, showing that he is not scared to be himself, and proudly admitting it. Azis also performed at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2006 for Bulgaria; he remains a prominent figure in the Bulgarian music scene.

There are so many examples of Chalga songs heavily influenced by the Roma sound and traditions. Chalga’s roots come from the Roma musical heritage and have popularised a dance style named “kyuchek,” including the music for it. Originated in the Balkans during the 19th century, particularly prominent in Romani brass bands. It’s a solo dance and several choral dances with moves that are focused in the lower back and hips. You can find songs for this dance by just typing “kyuchek music” in the search bar of your choice. Another very prominent example of a chalga song celebrating Roma culture and music in Bulgaria is “PEY, SARTSE” by Galena, Tsvetelina Yaneva, and Azis. With a music video shoot in a Roma settlement with Roma musicians and people, showing their dances, traditions, and vibrant lives, involving traditional Roma vocals and lyrics.

In conclusion, the Roma people and their music have profoundly shaped Bulgaria’s musical identity and the wider Balkan soundscape for centuries. From their deep-rooted traditions in wedding orchestras to their influence on contemporary genres like Chalga, Roma musicians have continuously bridged cultures, instruments, and styles to create vibrant and colourful music. Despite facing social challenges and occasional controversy, their contributions remain an essential, celebrated part of everyday life, festive rituals, and pop culture in Bulgaria and beyond. Today, Roma music continues to evolve—preserving tradition while pushing boundaries—proving that its spirit of cultural fusion and innovation is as alive and influential as ever.