Category: Sierra Leone
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A Leader Amongst Men
If there is one aspect of hip hop that is sub par across the world, it is that there is not enough female artists in the mix. Hip hop was birthed in America, in a patriarchal society, which has made it difficult for women to excel and receive proper recognition. The same struggle can be
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The Struggle is Real
On December 1st 1983, Sierra Leone artist Soufian Kamara was born in Freetown. Soufian is better known by his stage name Souferior. At the early age of 13, Souferior came to the conclusion that he was destined for the music business. Unfortunately, it wasn’t until he went to Guinea in 1998 that he decided to
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Haters Gonna Hate
Sierra Leone muscian Alhaji Amadou Ba, better known as LAJ da Boss or Boss Da LAJ, is no stranger to the Sierra Leonean community. LAJ’s first album, TOS (Talk of Salone) brought real hip hop to the fans that were craving it in the country. He founded his own label known as Red Flag Movement
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Salone’s Fresh Face
Following the trend of African artists before him and artists to come, Amara Denis Turay, better known as Kao Denero, is merging hip hop music with the current events of his country. The Sierra Leonean musician and Peace Ambassador released “Fresh Face” in light of the highly anticipated election of 2018. The song features Del
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Authentic vs. Commercial
Country: Sierra Leone Artists: Kao Denero and Sierra Leone Underground Rappers Both artists are categorized as hip hop artists or rappers. However, they have very different sounds which makes one question, is there such a thing as “real hip hop”? Does one qualify as hip hop or rap more than the other? The artists
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Hip Hop and Social Change in Africa: Ni Wakati
by Msia Kibona Clark and Mickie Mwanzia Koster Now available in paperback & on Kindle https://www.amazon.com/Hip-Hop-Social-Change-Africa/dp/1498505805 This book examines social change in Africa through the lens of hip hop music and culture. Artists engage their African communities in a variety of ways that confront established social structures, using coded language and symbols to inform, question, and challenge. Through lyrical expression, dance, and graffiti, hip hop is used to challenge social inequality and to push for social change. The study looks across Africa and explores how hip hop is being used in different places, spaces, and moments to foster change. In this edited work, authors from a wide range of fields, including history, sociology, African and African American studies, and political science explore the transformative impact that hip hop has had on African youth, who have in turn emerged to push for social change on the continent. The powerful moment in which those that want change decide to consciously and collectively take a stand is rooted in an awareness that has much to do with time. Therefore, the book centers on African hip hop around the context of “it’s time” for change, Ni Wakati.
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Raising Awareness: A critique on Chosan’s “Hoodie On”
In Chosan’s song “Hoodie On” ( a tribute to Trayvon Martin)he discusses social issues such as racial profiling, police brutality etc, which affects many black people,as well as Africans, today. It also shows the the globalization of social awareness and how people from all around the world can relate to someone in a particular predicament
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Bajah- Music Review
Bajah along with the Dry Eye Crew were able to be a part of the music that was starred in the movie Blood Diamond where Leonardo DiCaprio was one of the main actors. His music taste really blends swagger and some funk of hip-hop, passion and lots of energy from dancehall, and the social awareness
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Gibril Da African
From all over West and hailing Accra, Ghana Gibril, a.k.a. The Foreign Exchange Hustler’s mother is from Ghana and father is from Sierra Leone and has spent time throughout the West African coast, learning, traveling, performing in Ghana, Togo, and Nigeria to name a few and has also spent time in and around many European