for Evenimentul Zilei that manele are a creole genre, a simple, but lively music, spawned by the meeting of many cultures, that has a chance to succeed as a cultural style if it is polished and "cleaned up". Both consider that manele is a valuable representation of Romanian popular culture, and would like it encouraged. Famous Romani-Romanian violin player Florin Niculescu said that manele singers are talented, but lack musical education. On Romanian television stations, manele performers and music are particularly seen on specialized manele television stations, such as Taraf TV or Manele TV. While mainstream radio stations do not air manele, a lot of smaller stations do, especially in Romania's capital, Bucharest. Occasionally, manele interpreters appear on New Year's Eve programs on television stations. Prohibition Manele have been prohibited in some cities of Romania in public transport, taxis or festivals. Notable performers Pre 1984: Manele lăutăreşti Brothers Gore (Aurel and Victor Gore) - instrumental manele Gabi Luncă Romica Puceanu 1984–1991: First modern manele (adding electronic sound) Azur (vocalist: Nelu Vlad) - the first band to use electronic beats Albatros (vocalist: Iolanda Cristea a.k.a. Naste din Berceni) Generic (vocalist: Dan Ciotoi) Miracol C (vocalist: Cezar Duţu a.k.a. Cezarică) Odeon (vocalist: Costel Geambaşu) 1992–2004: Post-revolution period Dan Armeanca - considered the godfather of Romani pop Adrian Minune (previously Adrian Copilul Minune, Adi de Vito) Costi Ioniță Carmen Şerban 2004–present: Contemporary manele Popular performers include Florin Salam, Nicolae Guță, Vali Vijelie, Sandu Ciorba, and DeSanto. See also Chalga, in Bulgaria Laïko, in Greece Turbo-folk, in Serbia Music of Lebanon, in Lebanon Arabic pop music, in the Arab world References Notes The notes of a conference on manele at the "National Peasant Museum" Interview with ethnomusicologist Speranţa Rădulescu External links Manele Radio Manele VXer targets Romanian gypsy music Romanian music Pop music genres Balkan music Turkish words and phrases