7 replies to this topic

[fecko1]

Hip Hop is fundamentally an underground movement, but what do you think can be done to make it more mainstream in Africa?

Well, it seems to me that 65% of young people in Africa, today, are misconstruing the real values of this great form of art “Hip Hop”. The first thing that comes to mind when the word “Hip Hop” is uttered, apparently might be; Violence, Rebelling against the government, Defacing public structures, Drug abuse, Prurient train of thoughts and stuff. But as much as am being frank with my analysis about its negative effect on this part of the world, I also wish to talk about how these misconceptions can be transformed into something positive.

First and foremost, I think one of the ways to elevate this game (Hip Hop), is by erasing the wrong impression we have about the art-form and its culture from our minds. There are so many aesthetic sides to Hip Hop of which I guess we’re all familiar with, like; poetry/spoken words, free styling, conscious rap, graffiti art, break dancing, MCing etc. Let’s absorb these cool elements of ‘Hop instead.

Secondly, it’s really going to be great to see more Hip-Hop heads starting an African Hip Hop movement, just like what Nigeria’s current top lyricist “Mode Nine” is doing at the moment. That way, I believe true Hip Hoppers around the continent can get to converge monthly or annually to discuss Hip Hop related issues and maybe get to invite notable Hip Hop icons like; KRS One, Nas, Talib Kweli, Common Sense, Eminem, Wutang Clan etc. to make their own contributions as to the ways in which “Hip Hop” can be promoted in Africa.

Organizing projects geared towards discovering raw Hip Hop talents across Africa, is also another relevant point. I’d really love to see more events like the WAPI Project and SPRITE EMCEE AFRICA being organized on a monthly or annual basis in Africa. The media can be used as a major tool in achieving this objective. Hip Hop video documentaries are not exempted. That’ll go a long way in unveiling gifted African emcees, poets, rappers, break-dancers, writers and graffiti-art artistes to the world. Hopefully, I plan to work on a Hip-Hop documentary in the near future, but that’s by the way though.

More also, the internet can be used to promote African Hip Hop. Of course, most of us will agree with me that AfricanHipHop.com is a trail blazer when it comes to online Hip Hop forums in Africa. This is no a hype talk – it’s a factual statement. Props to other online Hip Hop forums like 9jahiphop.org and the rest. Let’s join the movement!

Finally, I’d like to quote a line from KRS One’s “SNEAK ATTACK” album that I found pretty interesting and true. He said “Rap is something we do, but Hip Hop is the way we live”. So, the summary of my epistle is all about seeing and adopting Hip Hop as a culture. From my standpoint, I guess that’s one of the best ways forward.

If you’ve got any opinion or contribution, feel free to join the thread. One!

[blackbisha aka sleng]

YEAH MAN WHAT IT DO, real talk with some wisdom that is what i want to hear from some
of cats in the game (hip hop)man we should all work as one to make it big and diffrent for AFRICA.
PEACE MAN, you,v said it all.

[Couzifer]

True talk fecko1 n' sleng, I agree witchu on all u've said except only on one thing, the spelling of Hiphop, did you know that when you call it

Quote

Hip-Hop

or

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hip hop

or any other thing apart from Hiphop it means a different thing all together?, Yeah, what you talking about above is Hiphop,the art,the movement,the kulture, "Hip-Hop", "hip hop" and the rest are jus' a misconception of what Hiphop is supposed to mean.
PEACE
1

[eizzy.k]

I feel dis post!
I also think that as Africans we should keep it African, and not just copy or impersonate American rappers, we should come up with our own style...i really feel hiphop in mother tongue, talkin about issues we face in Africa, now thats African hiphop!
I also feel that our continent is big enough. Artists dont need 2 tour Europe to get the dime and recognition, they need to tour Africa first, after all, African hiphop should be made by the people 4 the people. If we can organise ourselves, it would be a big step in promoting hiphop in Africa, as well as the artists themselves.

[Couzifer]

Yeah, this real a positive post.
As much as the African MCs, poets, Djs, graffiti artists try to keep it African, I think it the society i.e the fans also have a big role to play of appreciation, they have to learn how to recognize and appreciate wats African by supporting African Hiphop, otherwise if there is no support of wats home made then thats when the western influence takes its course.

[busola olasanjoye]

I THINK THE BEST WAY IS TO MAKE THE IND[color=#4000FF]USTRY GROW AND MAKE THINGS EASY FOR THE UPCOMING ARTIST AND JOING HANDS TOGETHER TO DO ALL THINGS TOGETHER TO MAKE UNITING

[t-Qrue]

Well, This is sumtten we all should take serious cuz am curiouz wonna see all ma hommiez get involve like new testament and jesus. yea, we need 2 know people that wonna get down 4 this movement thang. A lotta cats just wonna go grab the mic and u can watch em scream hip-hop and shit but check it they re not real. We should be careful with those cats that are like Aytime they heard the real status of hip-hop rap expressed they said we are Western kinda. I love this Hiphop and am involve cuz am a disciple like paul 2 christ till i D.I.E. So lets get it crackin 2 d real status and lets get it expressed if we feel it, if We love it and if we have passion lets confess it. If we believe it, express in your rhymes, on the streets draw it on the walls go to jail 4 it its all 'bout ur believe and culture.
Peace cuz i gotta begeeze if u know what i mean.
They Call me Marr.. Aka Xdogg aka Mlaww Tha Bug u can't plauge out but still suckin ya bloods on.
Holla if Ya feel me.

+2348059279132

[sunnykiss]

HEY HIP HOP WILL RISE ONCE MORE