well, like what makes FRENCH hip hop FRENCH? the fact that they rap in FRENCH? Or is because the rap is from FRANCE? or is it because its a FRENCHCITIZEN who raps. I think its ALL or A combination of these factors.
wHAT MAKES turkish HIPHOP turkish?
The issue here is that for so long Africa feels denigrated and misrepresented so we´re always trying to find ourselves or whatever in this modern global culture.
The thing is, admittedly if we experiment with our own local flavours we can take hiphop to another level. If we had a gathering of international MC´s who all sounded the same like they came out of the bronx- its like hiphop would be severely limited.
The problem comes in trying to a**ociate certain styles with Blackness. "You´re black so must sound like a Black." "Black MC´s must sound like their roots"
That´s really the problem. Koloureds must sound kwaai or something becoz they´re coloured.
This is what i meant when i said calling it African Hiphop (instead of talking aobut HIP HOP FROM AFRICA which is less essentialist and more inclusive) is completely tribal. Coz you´re looking at certian types of people and saying they need to pay homage to, be obligated to, certain styles and mannerisms which are a**ociated with these ´specific´ races and cultures.
Its like saying ZULU´s must keep sounding ZULU.
Black MC´s must be more African.
I mean, if Gini Grindith tried to sound like Eminem it would feel awkward. but the fact the he might not rap in Zulu doesnt make his sound less South African. So its like, is it okay for white MC´s to get away with their english and their cosmopolitan urban sounds. Black people must make an effort to sound BLACK. I dont think this will work. ZUBZ, its cool my man. This racial stuff was the white devil´s spawn anyway.
But on the other hand, if you caint rap in yo tongue, try draw other influences. I mean, Bra Hugh´s trumpet would work great with spoken word over it. AND THAT´S African. even if the words are english. damn, and then what if some German person takes our sounds and uses them? No, man it becomes german hiphop despite the experimentation with the african aesthetic.
I mean, the issues here are complex. We need to ask ourselves WHY its an ISSUE in South Africa and why in this context and can we get over this some time?
Will it always be an issue simply because authenticity moves units in this country? Until you sound AFRICAN you wont sell?
I bet you average model c kid couldnt give a damn if people rhymed in an accent as long as they just did hiphop.
the whole kasi, KEEPING IT REAL thing is fake and we all know it. And it gets boring.
Ultimately though, we must admit it seems silly to rap in an accent you dont really speak in.
Quote:
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ZUBZ in HYPE:
That criticism aimed at me is so oldnow that it actually feels like i´m wasting time. A lot of the people that criticise others for sounding American will not be able to identify to you what is the African sound in the first place!... I feel when people start getting caught up with how you sound, they aren´t listening to what you´re saying. Its actually very disappointing that at this stage of hip hop in South Africa, people are still hung up on accents man. There´s more to hiphop that just someone´s accent |
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