Author: brandig22

Posted in Africa, South Africa

Sammy Vomits – M.I.A

Posted on by brandig22

The song I chose to analyze is M.I.A by Sammy Vomits, a South African hip hop artist. The song begins with a period of straight rhythm, no words just beats. Immediately you begin bobbing your head. Then in comes Sammy Vomits, “They say I’ve been missing in action,” at just the right moment. In M.I.A Vomits addresses and denounces the rumors that he has been slacking, while those around him have been busy grinding. Vomits states that he hasn’t been missing but instead he is keeping his plans on the low. Yes, he’s putting in work but he’s not on scene stunting and flaunting all that he’s doing. This song is Vomits way of flexing on his haters: putting in work, by producing music, and still and still belittling his critics. While others are busy focusing on what all he is doing and accomplishing, he’s making moves whether they see notice them or not. I believe Sammy Vomits embodies all that in the delivery of his song. His voice is rough, harsh, and it beats up the track. Vomits is letting all those who ever doubted him know it is not appreciated. I am a fan of roguish, hard music so I really took a liking to Vomits’s song. I especially liked the fact there was a reason to the rhyme, his message served a person. Sammy Vomits did not just wake up one day and decide to brag about all that he’s accomplished, he woke up one day and decided enough was enough. It’s time they know what I’ve accomplished, time they know that I’ve been putting in work. I believe sometimes is to speak your truth when so many of peers believe otherwise. I also believe that’s what hip hop is for, for black people to speak their truth.

Posted in Diaspora, Ghana, Student Projects

Get Your Body Moving

Posted on by brandig22

“Tonight” by African American and Ghanaian artist Prince Kofi is the perfect club bop. As the song came on and the beat dropped, I could not fight the urge to want to dance. The beat rose and fell in all the right places to make your hips move with it, and the way Kofi’s melodic voice danced over the track only made me want to dance more. The song describes an amusing, eventful night that is centered around a tale of cat and mouse. Kofi asserts that he is in need of a particular someone, a need he plans to satisfy by the end of the night. While listening to this song I couldn’t help but picture a man and a woman in a club, both distantly lusting over each other while seemingly having the time of their lives. It made me feel like I was in the club, staring my lover in the eye, daintily asking him to save me from whoever it is I’m “enjoying” at the moment. The song is fun, lively, and describes the perfect weekend experience. It is the song you turn on when it’s Friday and your finally off work or out of school and are ready for for the surprises the night will bring. “Tonight” is not a “woke,” conscious song that speaks about social injustices, which is not outside the norm for Ghanaian artist. But, one thing I could not help but notice was the similarity to U.S. artist, which probably can be attributed to the fact that Prince Kofi is African American. Kofi’s song sounded like an everyday tune, something you hear playing on the radio or as you are browsing through department stores. It’s that feel good, get out of the slumps, and sing to the top of you lungs type of song.

Posted in Africa, Diaspora, South Africa

ShabZi Madallion Holy Key

Posted on by brandig22

True to the form of South African hip hop, Holy Key (Remix) by DJ Khaled ft. Kendrick Lamar and South African artist ShabZi Madallion, is an example of conscious rap. As the song opens, ShabZi Madallion immediately erupts, issuing a powerful first verse laced with metaphors and ill punchlines. Madallion talks about the corruption of prominent people in positions of power and how they are taking advantage of the citizens. But, he even discusses how sometimes it is not the rich and powerful, but merely are own peers who sell us out for profit or gain, yet in reality all they obtain is a loss a freedom. Madallion’s verse highlights many of the key issues that plague the black community. First, we (the black community) are our own worst enemy. In his verse, Madallion states “they breaking even with demons,” illustrating that greed is the seed of all evil. Continuously it us who send our own people to their demise, trying to increase our own social status. Next he discusses how those in power are manipulating and deceiving the people, which has in turn led to anger and mistrust. Soon, there will be no more obedience amongst citizens. Madallion acknowledges that the black community is fed up with government corruption and will soon decide to discontinue being misled and mistreated. Finally, ShabZi Madallion highlights how the churches are exploiting the black community, fooling them to believe they have their best interest at heart but instead are contributing to the success of the exact leaders that are taking advantage of the community. Overall, I believe Madallion’s verse was the best on the song. He made me really feel everything he was saying. It was powerful, real, and the delivery was impeccable. Even though his lyrics were conscious, they were still engaging and riveting.

Posted in Diaspora, Somalia, Student Projects

Nothing to Lose x K’naan

Posted on by brandig22

For the purpose of today’s blog post I analyzed “Nothing to Lose” by K’naan ft. Nas. “Nothing to Lose” is basically of story of how both artist, K’naan and Nas, have overcame the adversaries of there childhood and, therefore, have nothing to lose because they came from nothing. Throughout the song K’naan constantly mentions the roguishness of Somalia. He alludes to the Somalian civil war and what it was like growing up in the streets of Somalia. In “Nothing to Lose” K’naan outlines the life of a childhood soldier. In his first verse he begins talking about how, who I believe is, himself and how he got caught with cocaine. He goes on to state “Hut, hut to the block soldiers, buck, buck to the cop vultures, nope, no I don’t know pilots, nigga I know pirates, violence the islands, shout out to my idrens, put your hands up like it’s a mother fuckin’ siren.” These few lines almost completely summarize how K’naan views Somalia. He sites a chant commonly said amongst soldiers, “hut, hut,” portraying the war taking place on his block. He alludes to the police flocking to retrieve the numerous dead bodies and the retaliation the people showed to them. He acknowledges the poverty of Somalia, stating “no I don’t know pilots,” highlighting that the country is too poor for aircrafts. Yet, he knows pirates, which is formally defined as a person who attacks and robs ships at sea. And finally, K’naan calls the children to action, portraying the village aspect of their community and how the youth are the pillars of change, but unfortunately also showing how the vicious cycle continues. The chorus of “nothing to Lose” asserts that K’naan has nothing to left. What he is saying is, Somalia gave him nothing. K’naan represented how his country took so much from him, but in the end offered nothing in return.

Posted in Diaspora, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Student Projects

Nadia Rose and Gigi Lamayne

Posted on by brandig22

For today’s blog post I analyzed “DFWT” by Nadia Rose and Gigi Lamayne’s freestyle. Both artist had, what I believe, non conventional videos. In both videos, neither of the women were super dolled up. In fact, throughout the entirety of her video, Gigi Lamayne was, basically, in lounge wear. Rose was not much different. Throughout her video she wore typical, everyday outfits. I believe the artists’ wardrobe choice can be attributed to what they believe is most important in their videos, the lyrics and message. Neither artist wanted to be distracting through their choice of clothing. With that being said, you would think the videos contained substantive messages, yet “DFWT” and Gigi Lamayne’s freestyle were not in anyway associated with political or societal issues in their country. But, I do believe they still felt their messages were substantial. In Theresa Renee White’s Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott and Nicki Minaj: Fashionistin’ Black Female Sexuality in Hip-Hop Culture—Girl Power or Overpowered?, she analyzed ideas on women controlling their sexuality. In her conclusion she stated the views of Michel Foucault, “Making sense of our sexuality, Foucault holds, is perceived in the modern age to be a method for discovering the truth about who we are. The truth that we seek about ourselves is a truth we associate with the power of self-control.” I believe both of these artist hold a truth about themselves. “DWFT” by Nadia Rose was filled with self-exemplifying statements. She continuously posted about herself, her status, and her achievements. Similarly, Gigi’s video was a basically glorified rebellion. It began with her mother scolding her and the remainders of the video was her making a mockery of her mother. Both of these women are examples of women who do not let their sexuality define them. They are the Missy Elliot’s and Nicki Minaj’s.

Posted in Diaspora, South Africa, Student Projects

South Africa vs. the U.s.

Posted on by brandig22

For today’s post I analyzed “Roll Up” by Emtee and “Kid Cudi” by Blac Youngsta. Because South African hip hop  is mainly focused on politics and activism, Emtee’s video was unexpected. He performed completely outside the norm. His video began with him smoking a blunt then arguing with what I am assuming is his girlfriend. The remainder of the video  consisted of idle lyrics with no substance. Emtee’s message was very artificial. All he spoke about were materialistic things, like weed and money. As a fan of “conscious music,” I was a tad disappointed. Now, Emtee’s song wasn’t bad, but I was expecting a invigorating message on activism, not a song about money and drugs. Emtee’s video was much like a U.S. artist. Many U.S artist focus on artificial things like fame, cars, money, jewelry, etc. This similarity is shown in Blac Youngsta’s “Kid Cudi.” Blac Youngsta’s song is centered around having sex. His video began with him discussing with his friend how they engage in sexual intercourse with a woman. He goes on to bashing what he calls “f****k n****as,” at bragging about his money and cars. Black Youngster and Emtee both had videos that didn’t necessarily contain a pertinent message. Both were focused on “stunting” on others and glorifying themselves. Neither one of them focused on youth influence, politics, or activism. The only difference between the two is that Black Youngsta’s video was much more graphic. It seemed like almost every  other word was a curse word. But, the vulgarity of it makes this an underground track. “Kid Cudi” probably would never get played on the radio. I feel the same for Emtee’s “roll Up.” Because his message is not the normal politics driven message of South African hip hop, Emtee’s song probably isn’t played on the radio.

Posted in Senegal, Student Projects

“Ma Revolution”

Posted on by brandig22

For the purposes of today’s post I analyzed “Ma Revolution” by Senegalese artist Didier Awadi. Award’s video was not outside the norms for Senegalese artist. His video was “woke” and called for a change. The first thing I noticed about Awadi was his laid-back and conversational style. He seems like an artist that you could walk up to on the street and casually have a conversation with. Awadi was not flashy or flamboyant. He did not have million dollar jewelry, cars, or clothes. In fact, his video seems to be filmed in common areas of the city. I believe Awadi is using his environment to help convey his message. The song “Ma Revolution” is essentially a tribute to all that has inspired Didier Awadi’s revolution. Although the song is not in English, many factors led to my conclusion. First, Awadi’s video begins flashing pictures of prominent heroes in the black community such as Ghandi, Nelson Mandela, Samora, etc. After each image is displayed Awadi repeats the words “Ma Revolution,” signaling these individuals were influential in his revolution, his change. Then, throughout the course of the video it seems as though Awadi is describing things in his environment that have also fueled his passion for change. One thing that really stood out was Awadi’s effort to highlight the work of some graffiti artist in Senegal. Because graffiti is used as a form of expressing defiance and rebellion, I believe is trying to show that the people are fed up. The need for change has peaked and the people are demanding results. Awadi’s video shows that the ancestors of the black community have paved the way for us to demand change and revolution when it is necessary, and apparently Didier Awadi believes the time is now (or whenever he made the video).

maxresdefault 220px-didier_awadi

Posted in Female Emcees, South Africa, Student Projects

Hip Hop and Pop Culture

Posted on by brandig22

The videos I analyzed are “Sim Dope” by South African hip hop artist AKA and “Heart” by South African pop artist Toya Delazy. I’d first like to note their similarity to American artists. In AKA’s video “Sim Dope,” at first glance you would probably think he is an American artist, being that his style is very flamboyant and flashy. But, his lyrics tell us something else. AKA isn’t the average American hip hop artist, rapping idly about drugs, women, and violence. His music tells a story, his story. It also intrigued me how he incorporated the American “turn up” style of music into his story telling. Most American artist who tell stories through there music generally have more subtle beats. In my opinion, they work best. AKA’s style distracted me from his message. The next artist I examined was Toya Delazy. Delazy’s video “Heart” had aesthetic vibes that reminded me of artist like Elle Varner and SZA. I’ve never listened to African pop music, and I’m not really much of a pop fan, so I was not really sure what to expect. One thing I noticed about both artist is there short verses. American music typically has two to three long verses but it seemed as though both AKA and Toya Delazy’s songs contained many very small verses. Their styles are also completely different. AKA’s song was laced with metaphors similes whereas Delazy was pretty straight to the point. I can honestly say neither artist is what I expected. For some reason when I picture African hip hop and pop it is in no way similar to American music. I expect strong, mesmerizing beats, thick accents, and music laced with meaning and emotion. Both artist sounded like someone I would hear on the radio here. Their styles were both very commercial and unexpected.