A blog and podcast on hip hop in Africa
Tanzanian recording artist, and one of the most respected up and coming lyricists, Simalike “SIMA” Musika (aka S.I da Genius) dropped his highly anticipated 12-track
This is a program for US based students: Hip Hop, African Diaspora and Decolonial Futures program (https://studyabroad.sit.edu/programs/semester/spring-2020/sgd/). The Hip Hop program is the only study
In this episode of The Hip Hop African Podcast, we speak with Nigerian hip hop artist, Phlow. We talk about the impact of Afropop on hip hop culture in Nigeria, and the choices artists often make between hip hop and Afropop. Speaking of Afropop, we also discuss the possible opportunities for Nigerian hip hop in the wake of one of Nigeria’s fastest growing exports: pop music.
Phlow also talks about the struggles with longevity for women in the Nigerian hip hop scene, as well as the term “femcee” and the evolution of attitudes towards the term among women artists. In the conversation Phlow discusses the media’s focus on her ascetics, especially the reference to her as a “babe that can rap” by some media outlets. She discusses the pressure within the music industry that would like her to highlight her looks as a way to market her music. Phlow also points out that it is not only within hip hop that she experiences this type of objectification. She discusses being referred to as a “babe”, or a “beauty” in both hip hop circles and in her 9 to 5 job.
Phlow also tells us about her writing process and the inspirations for her material. Phlow discusses being a member of Str8buttah and the plans she has for her music. She is specifically interested in the question of representation, and allowing her music to speak to who she is. She speaks on incorporating different music styles, as well as the possibility of performing in other languages.
The long anticipated Hiphop album of 2019 “The Wake” finally hits the digital stores from Saturday September 28th. Ex’O who has been instrumental to the
Gabonese artist Ya Minko came by campus for a conversation about his experiences in hip hop communities in Gabon and the United States. We had a long discussion on hip hop culture and the business of hip hop. Every artist has to decide how to market themselves, how to speak to their audience, and how to navigate the politics of the music industry.
Ya Minko spoke to us days before his presentation at the Apple Carnegie store in downtown Washington, DC. Where he performed his song “Tired” during a workshop on hip hop lyricism.
Ya Minko can be found on social media
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MinkoEmmanuel
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/minkoemmanuel/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnHYdkLknAUR1z2Ma_7QECQ
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/minko-emmanuel
Ethiopian MC Lola Monroe, or Queen Roe, is back in the limelight with an energetic and sassy new single “Blah Blah”, featuring Terell Britt. “Blah
