Category: Language
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Dip Doundou Guiss – Musiba
Dominique Preira, better known by his stage name Dip Doundou Guiss, or DIP, is a Senegalese hip-hop artist born in Dakar, Senegal. Many of DIP’s songs, including Musiba, are performed in a mix of French, the official language of Senegal, as well as Wolof, one of the many African languages spoken throughout the country, with
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‘WO KUM APEM BEBA’ – Jay Bahd and the Asakaa Boyz Lead the Drill Scene in ‘Kumerica’, Ghana
Jay Bahd is one of the figure heads of the Ghanian drill, or ‘Asakaa’, music scene. Bahd and his crew, known as the ‘Asakaa Boyz’ are changing Ghanaian hiphop – mixing US inspiration with the power of a distinct Ghanaian message.
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The Sounds of Tanzania
-A brief article about the many sounds that are produced in Hip Hop. Hip Hop isn’t just a genre of music, it’s a genre that has its own style, culture, code, and language that sets it apart from all other genres. Through the use of Swahili slang & AAVE, drumming, storytelling, and rhyming, along with
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HHAP Ep76: FOKN Bois on Satire and Music as Social Commentary
Ghanaian hip hop duo FOKN Bois use satire to convey important social commentary on religion, politics, and sexuality. In this episode, they share their experiences and the thoughts that have gone into music and the messages they deliver. The duo talks about their decision to rap and write in Pidgin English, which they say stems from needing to “express more of self” to reach their own people. For them, rapping and writing in Pidgin English “brought a new sense of freedom and originality”. Wanlov and M3nsa also discuss their reputations for being rebellious and the need to incorporate humor into their conscious rhymes; and how they sneak “difficult conversations” into their comedic rhyme schemes to reduce resistance to the message that they come to deliver to their people. As Wanlov the Kubolor exclaims: “It’s extremely cathartic to be able to turn your problems into laughter”. Additionally, in responding to student questions, FOKN Bois share with the students their creative process and influences, and the things that keep them going. FOKN Bois are online on Twitter and Soundcloud @foknbois
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HHAP EP. 75: Skilled Rhymes and the Bordertowns on the Volta: Ghana’s Keeny Ice
In this episode of The Hip-Hop in Africa Podcast, we interview Ghanaian Hip-Hop artist Keeny Ice, from the bordertown of Aflao in the Volta Region of Ghana. Keeny Ice, whose lyrics are fast-paced, and rhymes complex, mixes languages, but primarily raps in Ewe. The talented lyricist joins us for part of our special spring podcast series with Words Beats & Life. Keeny Ice is online at: SoundCloud: @keenyice FB: @KeenyIceGH/ IG: @keenyice The episode was produced by Kilimanjaro Studios in Beltsville, MD
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What Happened to Nigerian Female EMCEEs?
Nigeria, popularly known for its catchy Afrobeats by the likes of Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy was once booming with female EMCEEs. What happened? It is not to say that there aren’t any women in the industry now, but the scene has changed drastically since the early 2000s. Take Sasha P, for instance. She was
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Tigist Asmare “Alen Wey” Music Video
Tigist Asmare is a popular Ethiopian musician. Her most famous song, Amelegnaw, gained widespread popularity and topped charts for over 8 weeks. Her most recent song and music video, Alan Wey, however, has garnered attention much quicker due to its social and political message. Not only did the lyrics directly comment on her stance on
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“Who will speak for us the weak?”- Nay Wa Mitego
“Nani Atusemee Semee Sisi Wanyonge” – roughly translated to “Who will speak for us the weak” encompass the sole drive artist and activist, Nay Wa Mitego has towards his craft. Emmanuel Elibariki, also known as Nay Wa Mitego, was born June 9, 1988, in Tanzania. He made his first debut on youtube in July 2014
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Vector “No Worries” ft. DJ Magnum
A Song for All Nations! Olanrewaju Ogunmefun David’s (aka “Vector”) 2020 hit single “No Worries” featuring DJ Magnum,” explains the frustrations, difficult times, and bad things that happened, especially at night, in Akure, Nigeria. In the rap, Vector is asking God, “Are you there? Can you help? Are you hearing our cry?” Vector is one of many
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Nikki Mbishi: #999
Tanzania rapper Nikki Mbishi has a very extensive discography. One of his latest projects #999, which came out in 2021, speaks about the issue of gang violence and the need to make a change in his community. He begins the song describing what seems to be his primary community. He then goes on to say