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| Picture above: American artist,Nas and SA artist HHP |
First of all let me define what hip hop is. Hip hop is the subculture originated by African Americans in New York City, specifically in Bronx. This culture was established in 1970s. In its broader sense HIP HOP is characterized by four elements, rapping, DJ`ing, dancing and graffiti, but then now I would like to focus on the music element which is rapping. The word rap is an abreviation for Rhythm And Poetry. I think the word describes itself, it`s clear to everyone that this is the mix of Rhythm either a drum or a beat box with a poem. Now let me go back to the fray. Many people think that the language you use when rapping matters, truely speaking hip hop music can`t be based on on the language you`re rapping in, that doesn`t matter at all what only matters is what you`re saying behind the microphone. Does it make a sense or you`re just rapping because your friend said ``man let`s do this''. As long as you expess what you feel inside, you can use whatever language you want to use to communicate your views. Remember what is important is the message content, but at times it depends on which audience you want to focus on. Just because the language that was used when this was started is English, it doesn`t necessarily mean you should use English even if the content of your music fosuses mostly on illiterate people.
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| Above:Vernacular rapper,Prokid on the mic |
There`s a lot of artists out there who use their language to convey messages through hip hop music, I`m talking of artists like Immortal Technique,Jin and many more (NB these are American artists). In South Africa I can mention the likes of:
- Prokid, from Soweto
- Red Button, from Soweto
- Hip Hop Pantsula from North West
Fortunately I remembered and mentioned HHP as a HIP HOP artist that is using his language in his rap. Remmber HHP is the first hip hop artist to collaborate with an American Hip Hop artist, Nasir Jones better known as Nas. You know what? I`m proud of HHP,ask me why. Just because he collaborated with an American RAP legend, he never abandoned his Tswana. Even the title of the track is called keledimo which means I`m a legend in Tswana. Can anyone tell me that`s nothing but a lie when I say a language is not a problem in Hip Hop Music?
Languege is not really a problem you can expess what you feel inside in any languege, the problem is the content you compose to your audience. Is message clear, understandable or educating...If yes than thats good music.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely man,your comment tells me something. It tells me that you know music.It seems like we share the same kind of music dude.
Deletei dont think language it's really a problem..What matters the most is the content of your music,if your content is understandable and sounds good it means everything is cool.
ReplyDeleteThat`s exactly what we call good music Marvee,for instance I don`t buy medicine when I`m listening to Nas`s music because his music is my medicine.
Deletefor me i personally dont see a problem with poushing your own language and making the other countries aware, that also creates a individuality and you stand out more
ReplyDeleteYes Gift what`s important is what you are saying to the people
DeletePersonally I think that many mainstream hip hop artists especially in America have given hip hop a bad conotation. It is also sad when local rappers like LES follow them and also rap about redundant things like groupies and bling.
ReplyDeleteMan that`s what I`m always talking about,but for LES I think it`s because he grew up in USA.
Deletelanguage is never a problem in music beacase we dont express ourselves in the same way some people feel comfortable in thier own language so b it
ReplyDeleteYes I think that`s the reason why HHP used his language on that track,it`s because he feels comfortable in his own language.
DeleteNothing wrong with the language especially here in mzansi,we have eleven official languages meaning that they are acceptable to be used anywere.And the only way to express yourself is to use youe home language.
ReplyDeleteIf you know your audience then it means you know the language that you have to use.
Deletelanguage isnt a problem,you can say whatever you want as long as you 're not going to hurt anyone,although some (speciall in america) abuse their "freedom of speech right" by using vulgure language.
ReplyDeleteThis is South Africa so we don`t have to do everything they do in America,that`s why they have to pay attention on their language.
DeleteIts depend like in South Africa is a problem because they believe that its teach young ones bad attitude or they tend to use it offen like on SABC they once Burn the song of Mshoza Hlaba lingene, but in America they dont care.
ReplyDeleteThat`s why I always emphasise a good use of language and the content of music man.
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