They have only known each other since 2018.
– But it feels like we’ve known each other all our lives, says Zeshan Shakar.
The rapper Don Martin – or Martin Ahzami Raknerud (45) as he is actually called and the writer Zeshan Shakar (41) have in their own way put Groruddalen and Oslo East on the map. Now they are relevant with the book “Can you hear the city breathe out”, which they have written together.
For the two friends, this is not just about a book. It is also about a friendship, a very special friendship.
– We think so alike about so much. There is so much we don’t have to say to each other. We just understand each other. We discovered quite quickly how many points of view and perspectives we had in common, says Don Martin.
Zeshan Shakar nods affirmatively.
– We talk almost every day – and we don’t have to explain much. It’s just there and it’s very special. At the same time, I also think that it is about the sum of common references, continues Shakar.
The two comrades make no secret of the fact that this has also become a personal book.
– A book which, to a far greater extent than we had thought beforehand, is about precisely our friendship, says Don Martin.
He thinks that the book is a lot about finding this community.
– It was something that just found its way into the book, whether we wanted it to or not.
It’s not just Don Martin and Zeshan Shakar who have become good friends after they met for the first time in 2018.
– Spouses and cohabitants, yes our children too, say the two.
At the same time, Don Martin believes that friendship cannot only be measured in quantity.
– I have many good friends who live abroad and it can be years between each time we see each other.
But before Zeshan Shakar can describe his friend, Don Martin interrupts him.
– I think he describes me well in the book, uncomfortably well.
Without allowing himself to be significantly distracted by it, Shakar continues:
– He is uncompromising on the issues he is concerned with, the people he speaks for and the place he is from. A kind of artistic activist. He has a consistently holistic personality. You get what you see.
We meet at the French-Arab corner cafe located at the intersection of Torggata and Bernt Ankers gate in Oslo. Of course – because this cafe is also part of the book, part of the plot.
– It is almost a miracle that we have not met each other before. We are quite similar in age and we have been in the same environments for years, says Zeshan Shakar.
Don Martin has a long history behind him and with a number of well-known releases. He has released several albums together with Tommy Tee. He also helped to start “Gatas Parlament” in his time. Many remember him for the album “Once Romsåsgutt – always Romsåsgutt” for which he received the Spellemanspris in 2013.
Zeshan Shakar, on the other hand, had great success with the book “Tante Ulrikkes vei” – and that was followed up by “Gul bok”, both of which received very good reviews and sold high volumes. In 2022, the novel “They call me the wolf” was published. A book that received a dice roll of five from VG’s reviewer.
Now they have teamed up on “Can you hear the city breathe out”.
– A strong reflection on themes that the two friends keep returning to. Be it class, racism, community and outsiders. And about how the places we come from take root in us, the publisher writes in its review of the new book.
– Whether it worked to write this book together? The big challenge has been to place the text in a sensible way both individually and together, says Zeshan Shakar.
The comrade thought of it more as if they made a record together, an album.
– Then the challenge was more to put the different pieces together.
But even if one can get the impression that they have each written their own book between the same covers, it is not at all the case that either one or the other has only run their own race.
– I’m not kidding, but during the writing period we probably sent each other several thousand text messages, says Zeshan Shakar as he checks his phone to be sure of his case.
But even though they put Groruddalen and Oslo East on the map in their time, they have now both moved from Groruddalen.
– I live on Østensjø, says Zeshan Shakar.
– And I’ve moved to Gamle Oslo, Don Martin chimes in – without wanting to go into more detail about where.
For the two friends, it’s about telling their own story – in their own way. It’s about the subway’s line five, it’s about Romsås station – and it’s about Stovner.
– We don’t count on the space that lies between, It’s a bit of a no-man’s land really, says Zeshan Shakar.
They have written the same book, but in their own way – and each has its own chapters.
– I’m probably much cruder in my use of language than Zehan is, says Don Martin.
Because there are sections in “his” book where the swear words are piled well and thoroughly on top of each other. Like when the band car for Gatas Parlament got thoroughly stuck in solid mud in place in Buskerud on a spring day in April
“Fuck you in hell fucking cock hell. I’m a motherfucking rap star”. exclaimed one of the other members of the band.
– I have a profession and grew up in an environment where this language and vocabulary were part of it. There was a period when I toned down my language. Not least in interviews. But at some point it hit me that this is how I am and stopped packing things in so much. But I understand that you can’t stand in that sports shop across the street and talk about products to customers like that.
Zeshan Shakar, on the other hand, strictly speaking, doesn’t think his mate is that rough
– I’m used to writing fiction, more academically, and there I can’t always use such words. I have it in me too, but it might come out less often.
