Bandista, a Turkish protest music founded in Istanbul in 2006, is known for its blend of reggae, ska, Afro-beat and Anatolian music. The group's debut album, De Te Fabula Narratur, was mastered in Italy and distributed at Taksim Square. Bandista gained attention with their EP Sınırsız-Ulussuz-Sürgünsüz, dedicated to Festus Okey, a Nigerian immigrant killed by Turkish police. The collective has performed at various festivals and demonstrations, supporting significant events like the 2013 Turkish protests. Bandista's music addresses themes such as globalization criticism, gentrification, and police violence. The collective releases their albums under a copyleft license, making them freely downloadable online.
