Michael Jad Azkoul, better known by his stage name Dr Koul, is a rapper based in Geneva, Switzerland.[1] He has released 2 solo albums and a number of singles and collaborative projects. He is also known as part of the Captains of the Imagination rap group.[2][3]

As well as being a studio and performance artist, Dr Koul is an active member of Geneva's Hip Hop culture scene.[4]

Personal life

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Dr Koul is the son of classical guitarist Jad Azkoul and grandson of Lebanese diplomat and philosopher Karim Azkoul.[5] Alongside being a rapper, Azkoul is a massage therapist and Systema martial arts instructor.[5]

Festival appearances

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Caribana Festival

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As part of Captains of the Imagination, Dr Koul performed at the illustrious Caribana Festival in 2023, promoting the release of their Vibernum EP.[6]

Cully Jazz

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Jazz drummer Alberto Malo invited Dr Koul and Evita Koné to perform with him, replacing UK rapper NoLay, on the main stage of the Cully Jazz festival in 2021.[7][8]

Competitions

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End of the Weak

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Dr Koul participated in the 2017 edition of the international freestyle MC competition End of the Weak in the eliminatory rounds for the UK. He was celebrated as "clear winner" of the first round of his participation, allowing him to participate in the UK finals.[9]

PLURAL+

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As part of the Plural+ 18-25 category video competition, Dr Koul won the Plural+ CHINH India Award for his social change rap video with fellow MC Branko, "Hit the Road, Jack" on the issue of migration.[10]

Featurings and collaborations

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Captains of the Imagination

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Dr Koul is most known as part of the group Captains of the Imagination alongside fellow Geneva-based rappers Evita Koné and Imagine.[2]

Le Sarcophage

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In 2023, Dr Koul was a featured guest on Le Sarcophage, a project by Geneva rapper-producer Mans1 compiling of some of the city's most emblematic rap artists and important contributors to the local scene.[11]

ConCERNed

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In 2017, Dr Koul appeared on London rapper ConSensus's album, ConCERNed.[12] Dr Koul was "central" to introducing ConSensus to the scientists at CERN, Switzerland, leading to the birth of this album.[13]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Year Album
2019 Stranger at Home
  • Released: April 28, 2000
  • Format: CD, streaming
2023 Prophet of Doubt
  • Released: May 2, 2003
  • Format: Vinyl, streaming

  1. ^ "Sorties disques – Revoici Kylie qui minaude en synthétique". 24 heures (in French). 2023-09-23. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
  2. ^ a b "Scène hip-hop – Le meilleur du rap anglophone fleurit aussi à Genève". Tribune de Genève (in French). 2023-05-27. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
  3. ^ Odutola, Tayo (2022-03-22). "Captains Of The Imagination make a mark with the "Fingerprint" [Video]". EARMILK. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
  4. ^ "Politique culturelle – Manque-t-il un lieu dédié au hip-hop à Genève?". Tribune de Genève (in French). 2023-06-23. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
  5. ^ a b Devia, Catalina Herrera (2023-12-21). "Dr Koul, le doute est roi". Le Courrier (in French). Retrieved 2024-03-15.
  6. ^ "Captains of the Imagination fera exploser les sourires au Caribana". 20 minutes (in French). 2023-06-09. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
  7. ^ "«M-A-L-O», un envoûtant voyage pour lancer le Cully Jazz Estival - Le Temps" (in French). 2021-08-21. ISSN 1423-3967. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
  8. ^ "Cully Jazz – Le batteur Alberto Malo en version augmentée". 24 heures (in French). 2021-08-18. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
  9. ^ Zero, Apex (2017-06-25). "Review: End Of The Weak LDN (@eodub) Heat 2". I Am Hip-Hop Magazine. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
  10. ^ Ladanan, Julie Ann (2012-11-02). "Hit the Road, Jack". PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
  11. ^ "Samedi à la Fête de la musique – Les rappeurs genevois des années 90 sortent du «Sarcophage»". Tribune de Genève (in French). 2023-06-23. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
  12. ^ "ConCERNed: Using Hip-Hop to Engage New Audiences in Particle Physics | CMS Experiment". cms.cern. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
  13. ^ "ConCERNed: Using Hip-Hop to Engage New Audiences in Particle Physics | CMS Experiment". cms.cern. Retrieved 2023-11-05.