Month: February 2016
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K’naan
I was typing up my midterm for Hip-hop and Culture and I came across the artist K’naan. What started out as me listening to his hit song “Wavin Flags” turned into me listening to his whole discography.
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Ice Prince – Boss
In today’s blog we will be covering the song “Boss” by African rapper Ice Prince. Born in Nigeria under the name Panshak Henri Zamani he grew up in Nigeria, staying there for college and to grow his musical career. He began making music in 1999, writing rap songs and performing them…
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A Critique and Discussion of Die Antwoord
Many times it is easy to celebrate African hip hop by viewing the many prominent and popular artists that have emerged and risen to local and global fame. From mainstream English rapping to conscious native rhymes, hip hop in Africa has completely evolved and globalized. What can be overlooked is…
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Cassper Nyovest’s “Doc Shebeleza”
Born in South Africa, Cassper Nyovest has risen to fame with his first album Tsholofelo and his second single “Doc Shebeleza”. Clearly set out to be a mainstream record, it covers all of the necessary topics under that genre. It focuses on women’s obsession with him as well as his…
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‘Nini dhambi kwa mwenye dhiki?
X Plastaz and Faza Kelly are said to be some of Senegals most popular hip hop crew. This song incorporates a mix of Swahili and traditional Maasai music. The music video is set on a Volcano where Kelly is traveling with just a blanket around him. You can clearly see…
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“Big Boys Don’t Cry!” & Other Lies Perpetuated By Society.
Toni Blackman is a female rapper who is of African decent. In her song “Big Boy Cry Too” from the album “Nova Nu Soul” she discusses social norms that should be abolished. She starts off by talking of a relationship and how she has something on her mind that she…
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EmTee “Roll Up”
Born in Matatiele, Eastern Cape, South Africa, Mthembeni Ndevu, better known by his stage name EmTee has been in the South African scene for less than a year now. Roll Up was his debut single and won song of the year at the South African Hip Hop Awards in 2015. Many…
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Dope Saint Jude “Brown Baas”
Catherine St. Jude, commonly referred to as Dope Saint Jude, is a Cape Town rapper who has rendered a reputation of transparency as it pertains to feminism, race, class, body politics, and gender neutrality. This rather edgy and controversial rapper has also served as a guest lecturer on the…
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Everyday is a Struggle to be Human…and Alive.
The video of Kenyan emcee, Khaligraph Jones’ track, ‘Everyday’ profoundly opens with a quote by Confucius (Chinese philosopher, politician and teacher) that reads: “In a country well governed poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed wealth is something to be ashamed of.” Right off the bat, Khaligraph makes it…
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Khuli Chana – Mahamba Yedwa/Mo Tsipe
South African emcee Khuli Chana (Khulane Morule) brings different sounds and flavors to his music as well as to the hip hop scene. He’s most well-known for his specific style of rapping called Motswako – a style that brings together elements from several different musical backgrounds. He first appeared on…