Radzimir Dębski, the Polish composer, conductor, and producer known as Jimek, has built a career on two passions: classical music and hip-hop. His latest project, Études for Piano, Sampler, Orchestra and Friends, brings those worlds together, featuring twelve Polish rappers alongside a symphony orchestra. The album, released on June 12, 2026, is the culmination of a trilogy that began with a concert in Warsaw's Bemowo district in 2022 and continued with a performance at the Silesian Stadium in 2023.
Jimek's international credentials are impressive. In 2012, he won a remix contest for Beyoncé's single "End of Time," beating over 3,000 entrants from 25 countries. The singer personally called him in Berlin to deliver the news. Since then, he has collaborated with Snoop Dogg at the BET Awards 2025 in Los Angeles and performed at "Snoop's Holiday Halftime Party" in Minneapolis. His 2015 album with rapper Miłosz "MIUOSH" Borycki, recorded at the National Symphony Orchestra of Polish Radio in Katowice, caught the attention of Deutsche Grammophon and earned praise from stars like Nicki Minaj and Mobb Deep.
Despite these global opportunities, Jimek has chosen to return to Poland for his most ambitious work yet. In an interview with Euronews, he explained that being home is both a need and a source of balance. "If my own identity gets warped, that's something dangerous for me," he said. "Being yourself in Warsaw in the summer... There aren't many places in the world I like more."
Three acts of a Polish hip-hop story
The trilogy began as a test: could he gather a dozen rappers on one stage? The first concert in Bemowo proved it possible. The second, with the National Symphony Orchestra of Polish Radio, was a bigger risk but succeeded. The third chapter, recorded for the new album, features artists he met during those earlier projects, with whom he created new tracks from scratch.
"This concert will be different in that, having had all these opportunities, we also recorded a new album — new tracks came out of it, which might give this whole story its best possible punchline," Jimek told Euronews. The upcoming concert in Warsaw on September 12, 2026, will feature both classic tracks and new material.
The album's title reflects its structure: the piano is the lead instrument, but Jimek adapts his approach to each of the twelve artists. For Bedoes 2115's Étude No. 3, for example, he introduces a guitar. After "20 years sitting alone in a basement with a computer," Jimek says he wanted to collaborate and see how creative decisions change when made with others.
Why Polish hip-hop stands out
Jimek is unapologetic about his love for Polish hip-hop, which he considers among the best in Europe. "This is completely biased, and I won't even apologize for it," he said. "Polish hip-hop is one of the best in Europe. It's very strong musically. That also comes from the samples — from the fact that it grew out of old Polish records, Polish jazz, Polish film scores, Polish popular and entertainment music, sometimes even electronic music."
He attributes this strength to Poland's cultural history. "Under communism, jazz was the language of freedom," he noted. "This Polish hip-hop never tried to be American, never tried to be different. It was Polish from the start, in that same genuine, honest way that a truly genuine and honest person doesn't even realize they're genuine and honest."
Jimek often translates Polish lyrics for foreign friends, who are surprised by the depth and philosophical weight of the content. "That's also the power of a language that has seven cases," he added.
The album also touches on contemporary issues, including the rise of artificial intelligence in music. Jimek has been vocal about the need to protect artistic authenticity, a theme that resonates with broader European debates about AI regulation in the workplace.
As Jimek prepares for the September concert, he remains committed to elevating Polish hip-hop on the European stage. His work is a testament to the genre's artistic maturity and its deep roots in the country's musical heritage.
