MCK, the well-known Angolan rapper, has been in the rap and hip hop scene for a few decades now. He is always known for creating songs that deal with real issues affecting his African brothers and sisters. He is most known for his musical protest against Angola’s former President Eduardo dos Santos on the grounds of poverty and repression. Being outspoken about these issues has always come easy to make because he was born in one of Angola’s poorest areas, Catambor. At the peak of his career, his social consciousness made him so relatable and genuine because he was not creating music for money or fame, but to uplift Angolans and spread knowledge.
His most acclaimed album was entitled, ‘Proibido Ouvir Isto’ (Forbidden to Hear This) in December, 2011. His music straddles Upon its debut, he released this statement, “Angolan hip-hop is an active force that came to revive the fighting spirit of the music made in the 60’s and 70’s against colonial oppression”. The most popular song from the album was ‘Atras do Prejuizo’ (Behind the Loss), and is known as a classic within the country.
The music video is endearing and shows a community coming together, and learning through a rapper, a wordsmith, a modern day griot. The song, itself, explores human rights issues that the average Angolan endures due to government’s corruption and capitalistic greed rooted in post-colonialism. MCK goes as far as even calling their living circumstances “modern slavery”, and his listeners, especially the youth, completely agree with him. For foreign listeners, the english translation is included below.
Today the sun rose earlier The day started The cock crowed at 4 am Reasons for poetry I thank God For another day of life 6 am I'm ready to hit Canister on the back I don't have water at home I'll steal under the bridge I have to go red-hot Next I go to Kixima Stem the python A can of milk 2 eggs and a pibéu This bullet I have to give it to Fau See you soon Jamila Grandma Domingas bye I tore the musseque I'm already on the asphalt Citizens complain Prices are higher Trash on the street Another morning countenance Fuel rise It's newspaper headline The grocer screams the name Of the product you sell Of the catá that harnessed To see if the scene yields Canucos walk to school In white coats Short skirts show hips From the sticks From May to Nzinga Speak well Katró Made in the taxi The collector is my bro Kuduro on the speaker Sound of Fofando I was listening The sound of Fofando I'll smile so I don't cry It's another day of my life I'll sing to not think The tricks of this life I'll smile so I don't cry It's another day of my life I'll sing to not think The malambas of this life The trip looked like a Formula 1 race Nduta doesn't respect any sign ya I arrived at school at 7:30 am Willing to catch the matter And spending 30 I was disappointed Right at the gate, college strike Doctors claim salary Time is kumbu, I'll take my foot I will spend the taxi mass in an internet café I'm back home Enjoying the street Mano da la 10, misery continues I almost cried when I saw I couldn't take the impact In fact I was overwhelmed A man kicking A pregnant buzzard He was a fiscal policeman with his smart attitude As in some cry The one who always smiles A kota drowned the sadness with a Cuca BGI The kinguila smiles because she filled the bag Kixiquila surrendered, order another gauge A very good lady came to me for help (They received the phone) Eh! Ginger star I didn’t stop, I didn’t hear I continued, who avoids is not stupid A knife is still stuck in your neck It's 12:30 pm it's time for lunch It's 12:30 pm it's time for lunch I'll smile so I don't cry It's another day of my life I'll sing to not think The tricks of this life I'll smile so I don't cry It's another day of my life I'll sing to not think The tricks of this life Sharp, I have to give it to the salon Today I have some deliveries in São Paulo Vaiser in the look, charm in the image I'm a sales promoter And I earn the percentage I have to have a strong chacho To buy the manager My salon is advertising And attract customers In peace in humility Is everything alright I have to work hard I'll go to someone else I already got four sales Now I will run after the orders I signed a contract well With a warehouse owner I ended the day in a big way I like notes All big head All calm is necessary Because of thieves Not all are passengers Watch out for jerks I got home fatigued I'm going right to bed I'm busted Today I don't want to see the lady Today I don't cock the lady (right to bed)
Although MCK has a genuine soul and powerful lyrics, he also has an incomparable flow and rap style. Influenced by US Hip Hop and Rap from the 90s, he also uses Angolan slang which strengthens his grip on the youth. Because he grew up in Luanda’s musseques (slums), his message comes naturally and is extremely relatable to Angolans, but hated by the government. His music was combat rap because no one was doing it before him. His concerts were censored by the government.In 2017, he was. also almost sent to jail for his music. His music was the call to action. You can find his music on YouTube through the link posted further up in the article. His music is unfortunately not on Apple Music, Spotify, or other streaming platforms. MCK does not participate on social media platforms.