Category: Student Projects
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Hiphop as a Vessel for Black Consciousness: Digging into the artistry of Pure Akan and Elom 20ce.
Black consciousness, as propounded by N’longi Steve Biko, was a philosophical and political transformation of the mind emerging in South Africa during the 1960s and 1970s. In essence, Black consciousness sought to imbibe amongst Black people in Southern Afrika who had been subjected to systemic racism and discrimination under apartheid a sense of pride, dignity,Read…
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Nsɛmsɛm Bi: A Rap Collaboration with Visual Art
It is 7:40pm on the 28th of July 2023 in Accra and I arrive at the buro, a building in the city with multifaceted work spaces. I am directed to the back of the building by the security walking through an alleyway. Upon arriving, here I see the rapper Pure Akan seated on a benchRead…
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Amewuga: The Last Tour by Elom 20ce
Togo based rapper Elom 20ce held the final concert dedicated to his sophomore album Amewuga which translates to ‘A person is more valuable than material things’ at the La Case Des Daltons in Lome. The concert saw fans come to experience the often politically and spiritually charged rapper in an intimate setting. The concert whichRead…
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MIXTAPE TOWARDS A NEW CONSCIOUSNESS: Exploring Asakaa, Alt Hip Hop, & Trap Politics
This mixtape explores the social and political themes of songs from Ghana’s trap, drill (Asakaa), and alternative hip hop subgenres to find “conscious” hip hop is not its own genre, but rather a thematic standard that can exist in all kinds of rap. Featured songs in order: Snakes by La Même Gang; Wasteman by BlackRead…
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“Making Trauma Digestible: Women Delivering Confusion of Life In the Form Of Melodies” by Zama Holley
While I have found that women in the music industry Find more comfortable with storytelling in their music, it is still rare to find female hip hop artists expressing rage, confusion or struggle in an up front way. Allow me to explain, each song on this mixtape speaks to the rebellious spirit of a determinedRead…
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Flash Marley – Madre of Togo
Flash Marley is a female Togolese artist that embodies strength and character through her music. The title of one of her hit singles released in 2020 is called “SITSOPE”. The title of this song translates to a place of refuge or help. In the music video for this song, her voice exhibits passion and power.Read…
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Wande
Wande is a Nigerian American artist based in Atlanta. She grew up in Houston Texans but moved to Atlanta once she signed with Reach Records. Whenever given a chance she always reps her Naija Roots. As she is seen rapping about her experiences being an immigrant and her experience with that lifestyle. For instance, inRead…
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Wale Never Loses Sight of His Nigerian Roots
Olubowale Victor Akintimehin, also known as Wale, is a Nigerian-American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He was born in Washington, D.C. to Nigerian immigrant parents. Wale spent some of his childhood in Lagos, Nigeria, before returning to the US to pursue his education. Wale decided to focus on his music instead and has since become knownRead…
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Tobe Nwigwe stuns in video with Fat Nwigwe for “Fye Fye” collaboration
By Zainab Ahmed Tobe Nwigwe, an Igbo Nigerian-American rapper, teams up with his wife Martica “Fat” Nwigwe for their song “Fye Fye.” In the video Tobe and Fat are surrounded by dancers who are in green and white attire, the colors of the Nigerian flag. Tobe Nwigwe raps about loving his wife and kids. AsRead…
