RAFELRAND

Rafelrand

Essays

On freedom, the body, art and tolerance: the frayed edges where the neat hem of society gives way. Some essays are also available in Dutch.

All essays4 essays
An AI profile built from Western imagery faces a West African woman.

Essay · Music & AI

The Algorithm Has No Ear for the Griot

How AI's Western DNA is failing African creators, and why we need to stop pretending it isn't.

2 October 2026
Line drawing of two profiles, a woman in a headscarf and an uncovered figure, connected by a single line.

Essay · Society · English & Dutch

Lane Four

On nudity, burkinis and a tolerance that only runs one way.

28 September 2026
An empty cloakroom counter; behind it, passports and ID cards hang on numbered hooks.

Essay · Privacy

The Cloakroom Problem

On data breaches, worthless records and the companies that never pay for losing them.

18 August 2026
Miet Kerbusch in her garden in Broeckdael

Essay · Poetry · English & Dutch

The Dike and the Flood

Miet Kerbusch left two poems that belong in world literature. A rereading of ‘De Dijk’ and ‘Voodo Child’.

21 July 2026
More album reviewsAll reviews →
Little Angels, Big Bad & Back (EP) album coverLittle AngelsBig Bad & Back (EP)★★★★Orchestra Baobab, Made in Senegal album coverOrchestra BaobabMade in Senegal★★★★½Pabllo Vittar, Lost in Lust album coverPabllo VittarLost in Lust★★½Alabama Shakes, I Must Be Dreaming album coverAlabama ShakesI Must Be Dreaming★★★★

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