Tag: Social justice
-
“Kings & Queens” a tale of the future
Spoek Mathambo latest release “Tales From The Lost Cities” speak of the wrongdoing and social injustices of South Africa. Mathambo refers to this album as a “cross section of particular moment in South Africa” in his interview with Rhythm Passport. Upon writing and rapping for the album Mathambo wasn’t satisfied with the things he was hearing through…
-
Roma: Tanzania’s Social Change Powerhouse
Ibrahim Mussa, also known as Roma Mkatoliki once stated in an interview that he sees himself as “an ambassador, to be a voice of the voiceless, to speak on behalf of the challenges and struggles of everyday Tanzanians.” As a successful conscious rapper, he has become a voice for the young people of Tanzania, speaking…
-
Takun J: Liberian Rapper and Activist
Takun J is an Liberian hipco artist whose music is known to focus on societal issues including the injustices against his people. As an activist and rapper, it is almost natural for Takun to see how the people around him are being treated, including himself and often times it influences the songs that he writes.…
ngeorgeon
-
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…
-
Toussa, or all-inclusive
Who is Astou Gaye, and how did she set the contemporary precedent for aspiring female rappers in the banlieus surrounding Dakar? Better known by her stage name Toussa Senerap, Astou began her career calling out a highly-patriarchal Senegalese culture that withholds respect for women in both marriage and the hip-hop industry. There is no questioning…
sandersca
-
L’argot de Sénégal
“Senegal slang” signifies more than its catchy nature would insinuate. It is impossible to watch this “Y’en a marre” (enough is enough) video without recollecting Golden-Age American hip hop artists discuss social progression some 20 to 30 years after the civil rights movement. The video begins with Senegalese rapper Djily Baghdad discussing crumbling social and political institutions…
-
Parodying the President: Musical Activism
In his well-known song and music video, “Votez pour moi” [“Vote for me”], Burkinabé rapper Smockey takes to the microphone to simultaneously parody and criticize the 2005 presidential re-election campaign of then-incumbent Blaise Campaoré. In both the lyrics and the ridiculous video accompaniment, Smockey works to make fun of and tear down the messaging of Campaoré’s…
Ian O’Kelley
-
Call for Papers: Book on Hip Hop & Social Justice
Hip Hop and Social Justice Edited Volume Call for Papers Editors: Lakeyta M. Bonnette-Bailey, Georgia State University, Department of Political Science & Adolphus G. Belk, Jr., Winthrop University, Department of Political Science In 2017, Hip-Hop celebrates its 44th year of existence as a cultural form. Since its inception in urban America, Hip-Hop has transformed into…