Tag: Diaspora Emcees
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HHAP EP. 64: Minista of Agrikulcha (MOA) on the African presence in U.S. hip hop
This episode features a conversation with Ghana’s Minista of Agrikulcha (MOA). The multilingual, transnational MOA was born in Ghana, but lived in the Ivory Coast for several years. In the Ivory Coast he was part of that country’s hip hop scene in the 1980s and 1990s. He moved to the US for college in the…
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5 songs that symbolize the African America diaspora and cultural exchange through Hip-Hop
For my mixtape project, I have decided to use Famous and Unforgettable by French Montana, Umrika by Wale, Ojuelegba by Wizkid, and Fall by Davido to demonstrate the theme: African diaspora blending American and African influences in the hip hop industry. The cover art is Wale as a member of the African diaspora embracing his…
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May Peace Be Unto You
Salam Alaykum, the standard Arabic greeting translating to “Peace be unto you,” is the only track on French Montana’s latest album, Montana,with an Arabic title. Additionally, his whole album is one showcasing Montana’s consistent efforts in bridging his Moroccan roots with the music industry. The song begins with a fading angelic voice presenting a cryptic…
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Wale promotes Black Love in Nigeria and America
Olubowale Victor Akintimehin, better known as Wale in the hip hop industry, represents his Nigerian heritage and upbringing in America through his music. He was born in Washington D.C., however his parents made sure to make him no stranger to his Nigerian roots and culture. Wale states, “I look at myself as a black man…
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Ras Nebyu: Diasporic “Uptown Lion Walking”
Ras Nebyu (born Mebraknegodguwad Mahtemework) is a DC-based artist who identifies as part of the Ethiopian diaspora. Although Nebyu was born and raised in America, he grew up with his Ethiopian father and grandmother, and was exposed throughout his life to Ethiopian culture through the greater diaspora in DC. Nebyu’s identity within the diaspora is…
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NGRTD
Known by his stage name “Youssoupha”, Youssoupha Mabiki embodies the defining characteristics of progressive French rappers in his song Entourage. A captivating story of immigration, education, and social consciousness defines Youssoupha’s rise to prominence in a crowded French rap scene. Youssoupha was born in Zaire (today the Democratic Republic of the Congo) in 1979 as the…
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My Motherland Is Not A Jungle: Africa Through Say’hu’s Eyes
I decided to choose an artist whose name I did not hear much in the class. The title of Say’hu’s song, “Motherland” drew my attention because everybody has their own opinion as to what their motherland is or what the term means to them. To me, my motherland is where myself and my family originate…
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Different Country, Same Attitude
There’s two types of people in this world: those who conform to the rules set by society and those who rebel against it. In their collaborative hp hop song “Gentleman”, rappers M.anifest and Wanlov the Kubolor come together to tell you that they’re the ladder and not ashamed of where they’ve come from. For today’s…
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Put On For My City: How Lyricist K’naan Represents the Diaspora Through His Music
Somalian-born lyricist K’naan can never forget where he came from and he makes it known that he came from the struggle through his music. When he speaks about his country, you can see pride in his face, despite all the havoc and killing that’s going on, he makes it known that he is not ashamed.…