Category: Music Industry
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Is Hip Hop a Weapon?!
George Kyomushula | August 11th, 2023 | Arusha Poetry Club Arumeru | Arusha – Tanzania Hiphop is a music genre made by Black folks. Culturally and artistically, it can be a weapon or shield which can cause mass destruction or healing to the community once used wisely. Unfortunately, hiphop has been used negatively to ‘PIMP…
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Nadia Nakai’s “Kreatures” Kreates a True Narrative of Female Hip Hop stardom
Image provided by ZIMBOlebs Nadia Nakai is a South African born Zimbabwean Hip hop artist from Johannesburg. Growing up, she went to high school in Kenya and graduated from Monash University with a degree in marketing communications and media studies. After spending some time in the television industry, Nadia decided to focus on her music…
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Why the World Should Know Rosa Ree- Tanzanian Rapper and Musical Genius
In honor of Women’s Appreciation Month, I’d like to circle back to an artist I’ve previously written about, Rosa Ree, “The Goddess of Tanzania”, and her impact on the rap game. Rosary Robert, stage named Rosa Ree, began her music career on social media gaining the attention of many in the music industry and eventually…
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The South Africa Issue of WBL: Global Journal for Hip-Hop Culture
Words Beats & Life: Global Journal for Hip-Hop Culture: The South Africa Issue This special issue of WBLJ explores South Africa, home to one of the largest and oldest hip-hop scenes in the world. This issue considers the historic ties between artists in the US and South Africa, as well as competing perspectives on how…
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HHAP Ep. 74: Fid Q on Hip Hop, Language, & Culture in Tanzania
In this episode of Hip-Hop in Africa Podcast, have a long-awaited interview with Tanzanian artist, Fid Q. The conversation begins with a discussion of Fid Q’s legacy in Tanzanian Hip-Hop and his impact on the genre. We discuss his connection to Tanzanian youth and his impact on his music as he relates to his listeners…
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HHAP Ep 73: A Discussion on Race and Identity in South African Hip Hop
In part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Sipho Sithole, he discusses the regional differences in South African hip hop. He talks about the hip hop scenes in Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg. He also discusses the linguistic differences in South African hip hop and the role ethnic identity plays in the styles and languages…
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HHAP Ep 72: A Conversation on South African Popular Music with Sipho Sithole, p. 1
Dr. Sipho Sithole is a Research Fellow at the Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study (University of Johannesburg) and holds a PhD in Anthropology, a B.Sc in Political Science and International Relations, and an M. Sc in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management. Dr. Sithole’s research revolves around language identity, culture, migration, and integration. Sithole has a…
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HHAP EP. 69: Industry Vet Buddha Blaze on the nature of the music industry in Kenya and Beyond
Buddha Blaze is a Kenyan blogger, podcaster, and music industry insider with over 20 years of experience. He has worked throughout the continent and the diaspora with artists and producers from around the world. He was a major part of the British Council’s WaPi (Words & Pictures) initiative, which showcased hip hop, poetry, fashion breakdance,…
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HHAP Ep. 68: Edem, On Navigating the Music Industry in Ghana
In this episode, Ghanaian hip hop & hiplife artist Edem talks about the music industry in Ghana and the popularity of Afrobeats. Edem also talks about the presence of Ghanaian and Nigerian artists in shaping Black popular music globally, especially in the US and the UK. He also talks about how Ghanians have always done…