Category: Swahili
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HHAP EPISODE 55: HIP HOP PALAVER, V.2 (Video)
This is a special episode of the Hip Hop African Podcast. It is a collaboration between the HHA Podcast and the Global Hip Hop Exchange (GHHE), which is an online network/community of hip hop creatives who are primarily from, or based in, Africa. Featuring: Hustlajay Mau Mau, Fete Jen, Mikko of Planet Earth Planet Rap, & Msia
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HHAP EPISODE 55: HIP HOP PALAVER, V.2
This is a special episode of the Hip Hop African Podcast. It is a collaboration between the HHA Podcast and the Global Hip Hop Exchange (GHHE), which is an online network/community of hip hop creatives who are primarily from, or based in, Africa. This is our second hip-hop palaver, with hip-hop creatives from around the continent. This time we continued the reflection on the COVID19 from the perspective of parenting. We also discussed hip-hop collaborations. Some that we had been a part of, and some that we are currently working on. The discussion included members of the Global Hip Hop Exchange, all of whom have been involved in hip hop culture in their respective countries for several years: 2. Hustlajay Mau Mau/@Jay_maumau| Hustlajay MauMau is a socially conscious MC from Mombasa, Kenya. He raps mostly in Swahili, and has made a name for himself by not only rapping about social issues, but also getting involved in social and political issues in Kenya. He is currently based in Austria. The opening and closing song, Sign of Hope, is one of his new releases. | YouTube Channel 2. Fete Jen/@Fete_Jen | hip hop organizer & founder of The Lounge (open mic event) and producer of the upcoming mixtape | from the U.S., previously based in Tanzania, currently based in Pretoria. 3. Mikko of Planet Earth Planet Rap/@PEPRRadio | Mikko is one of the founders of Planet Earth Planet Rap, which is a segment on Chuck D’s #AndYouDontStop radio show. They play, talk about and celebrate international Hip-Hop from all continents. | PEPR can be accessed 24/7 at https://rapstation.com 4. Msia/@Kibona | HHA host & hip hop professor, photographer, & author | from Tanzania, based in the Washington, DC area | Website: https://msiakibonaclark.com
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La Fete- Falz
Folarin Falana, better known by his stage name Falz, is a Nigerian hip hop artist, songwriter and actor. He is well-known by his collaborated acts with the Nigerian star, Yemi Alade. The video above is Falz’s song entitled “La fete”. In this song, he incorporates different languages including: Yoruba, French, Swahili, and the Nigerian dialect “Pidgin
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Stella Mwangi fuses African and Western hip-hop to Represent her Experiences
Stella Nyambura Mwangi who goes by the stage name STL, is a 33 year old songwriter, rapper and singer. Stella was born in Nairobi, Kenya, but she and her family moved to Norway, when she was only five years old. Regardless of her relocation, her parents were sure to bring her up in a way
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Ulimi: A weapon for social change in Kenya.
This song Ulimi, by Flamez and Sue timon is a song that I perceive to be a song that advocates for social change in Kenya. It is by a rapper called Flamez featuring a female MC, Sue Timon. Their hope for this song was not to incite any violent feelings, especially since the country has
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HHAP Episode 51: Roma Mkatoliki, Challenging Hip Hop Activism in Tanzania
In this episode of the Hip Hop African Podcast, we interview Tanzanian hip hop artist and activist Roma Mkatoliki about his more than a decade long career as a hip hop activist.
Roma Mkatoliki has always been known for producing music that addresses social and political issues, beginning with his first single “Tanzania“, which he released in 2007. The song was highlighted in the 2012 scholarly article Hip Hop as Social Commentary in Accra and Dar es Salaam.
In April 2017, Roma and some of his colleagues disappeared for 3 days. This incident has put Roma at direct odds with the government. More recently, in November 2019, Roma released the single “Anaitwa Roma”, which was a direct criticism of government policies.
Roma has been a source of division in Tanzania’s hip hop community. There have been a lot of debates about who Roma is, and why he continues to be so vocal. His actions have shined a bright light on other artists who have also identified as being socially conscious. Many have chosen to criticize, or distance themselves from Roma. Some of this may be to avoid scrutiny over why they themselves have not been more vocal or active. Some artists may disagree with Roma’s views, and have criticized his methods and intentions. And, some artists may support Roma, but may not have been publicly vocal in that support.
Roma Mkatoliki’s talk with students from Howard University and George Washington University in our Hip Hop in Africa class In this interview, however, it was clear that Roma Mkatoliki believes that he is doing the right thing. Our decision to interview Roma is not an endorsement of any one side. And, we are not able independently verify all of the information Roma provides during this interview. But, we feel it is important to have these conversations on diverse platforms. As a hip hop artists who is engaged in social and political commentary, it is important that Roma’s voice be heard on this platform.
The interview is done in both Swahili and English. I have attempted to summarize Roma’s responses in English, though he switches between Swahili and English in his responses.
The song that opens and closes the episode is Mkombozi, which was released in January 2020. This link takes you to the version of the song with the English subtitles.
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Octopizzo: Changing the narrative of young refugees from the Kibera slums
Born in one of the largest slums of the world in Kibera, Nairobi, Henry Ohanga also known as “Octopizzo”, is set to change the narrative of residents of such areas. After completing his secondary school education, Octopizzo took computing courses, worked as an electrician and an actor, before diving into hip hop music and youth
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The face of Kenya’s Hip Hop Scene: Khaligraph Jones
Khaligraph Jones a.k.a Papa Jones born Brian Robert Ouka is an influential Kenyan Rapper who came to the scene when he was 19 years old, during ‘The 2009 Channel ‘O’ MC Africa Challenge’. Tracing his roots from Kayole, Nairobi, this artist had humble beginnings and has used that to shape his music and sound which
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Redemption by Roma Mkatoliki
Check out the video for the new track “Redemption”, by Tanzanian hip hop artist Roma Mkatoliki. The video is available on Roma’s YouTube Channel: ViVaRoma. Our interview with Roma, who has known for his socially conscious music, is coming in soon to The Hip Hop African Podcast.