Research Overview: Topics

Health

A noticeable phenomenon among some African artists is that they utilize their medium to deliver effective prevention messages on issues such as the risks of HIV/AIDS, drug use, and in general unhealthy lifestyle practices. Hiphop artists use their lyrics to educate youth who historically have not responded to mainstream, state-driven health initiatives T he African Hiphop Research Project will be collaborating with local organizations, educators, and various community and youth groups that are already working to promote healthy living among youth. Through conferences and the website, the AHRP will seek to serve as a networking vehicle to provide up-to-date information to both public health professionals and students.

Language

By the innovative fusing of local languages with English and French, we find that African Hiphop artists are creating wholly new vocabularies and languages. But they also revive and incorporate old traditional languages, bridging the generational gap through the combination of fresh, new sounds with traditional language. What we see is that language preference and language usage among African artists reveals not only the underlying philosophy of an artist, but also which audiences they want to attract, and how they view themselves within the larger society. Likewise, the lyrics allow us to understand who the message is targeting and the issues and realities of a given country.

Music and Culture

In most African countries, it is through the medium of music that enduring traditions are passed down from generation to generation. In addition, we have ample evidence to show that important social issues are addressed through music. Music is an integral part of the daily existence of the African people; indeed, there is music for every occasion. Not only is knowledge transferred through music, but also political, social, religious, and personal histories are preserved and transmitted through music. Interestingly we find that traditional African chanting, vocal recitation, and oral story telling, such as the griots tradition, are visible elements of African Hiphop. That is to say, Hiphop has not forgotten its past. By studying African Hiphop’s origins and myriad cultural transformations, we will gain a better sense of the unique fusion of African musical traditions and western musical styles.

Political and Social Issues

Without a doubt, African Hiphop lyrics are political and social. Hiphop has become the tool for Africa’s future leaders, the youth. It is through the popular and engaging rhythms of Hiphop that their voices are heard far and wide. These new would-be leaders are boldly pointing the finger inward, insisting that not all of Africa’s ills are due to past colonization but that corrupt leaders, greedy corporations, and interminable civil wars also perpetuate the problems. African Hiphop has developed into a powerful art form with forceful lyrics addressing timely issues such as free speech, rampant fraud, and access to equity for all.

 Technology

Moreover, African Hiphop is propelling a technological consciousness among African youth, since the music is based squarely in the technological arena, from the production of music, as well as the development of CDs used for distribution.

Religion

African gospel singers regularly turn to the beats and sounds of African Hiphop to convey their message. As a result, gospel music has become more popular since Hiphop beats have been adopted and adapted. Therefore, what we see is that African Hiphop is essentially being used to teach about religion and spirituality. Thus by looking at the lyrics being used in different religious settings, we can explore how Islam, Christianity, and traditional African religions are incorporated in the formation of identities. In some instances, Hiphop artists use their music to talk about not only their values but also the limitations of their beliefs and culture. Through an analysis of rap lyrics, African Hiphop Research Project will look at what the dominant religious traditions are in a country and how the youth might embrace and critique the prescribed values and notions religion and spirituality.

African Hiphop, is now used in the preservation and popularization of traditional languages, and has become a force to be reckoned among African youth, and it stands as perhaps the most significant means of bridging the gap between young people on the continent and in the Diaspora. It has even been argued that Hiphop is the new terrain for a renaissance of pan- Africanism.