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Politics / Re: HIP HOP: TURNING POP CULTURE INTO A CULTURE OF RESISTANCE
« on: May 06, 2011, 01:58:29 PM »Kwaito doesn't stand alone though.
Note how hip hop has become less and less about issues, and more and more about who has the most nut-hugging jeans and silly dance steps, while those artists who still try to make music with a message, are shunned at home and enjoy cult following overseas.
This is something we can't deny. And the situation wtih Zubz's Get Out is a clear example of the powers that be trying to hush music that may spark some sort of a revolt, or even just an iota of thought from the listeners. But we musn't forget the business element behind the Souljaboy's and Jozi's of the world - the ma**es out there (at least those being targeted by our media/corporates/advertisers) aren't really crying out for a Ben Sharpa to take the stage coz he won't make'em dance. So the endorsement of a Ben Sharpa by a big corporate or even a major record label doesn't really serve their best interests, which is to make money.
Which brings me to this question:
"Is pop music popular coz it's what the peeps want/ or is it popular because it's what the powers that be punt?"
I mean if it was a Ben Sharpa getting played 24/7 on 24 different radio and TV channels, 7 times a day, would that be what's deemed cool? That whole force feed'em til they like it thing?
Yes, play it often enough it will be liked. How long did it take before house music became this popular? I think that midtempo thing did the trick, then it got to the more up tempo, then can u believe SA black folk listen to electro(if that's the correct term) when we actually never used to f*** with uptempo music, calling it white or coloured music.