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MORE HIP HOP COVERAGE NEEDED IN AFRICA PLEASE

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Sir,

Thank you for allowing me to air my views in your highly esteemed publication.  I am a hip hop fanatic who can speak impassionedly about this genre and the culture embedded in it.


I read with great excitement that one of SA’s hip hop icons, Cassper Nyovest, will be lecturing on Hip hop at Stanford University in the US.
We have heard of many instances where hip hop has played its part in the socio-economic and socio-political landscape of developed countries.  Hip hop is so powerful and influential that rap lyrics find themselves in curriculums of schools and universities forming part of discourse on many topical issues.  Hip hop in the US plays a major role in influencing the choices of individuals during elections.


There have been artists in the US including Kanye West and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs who have been conferred with doctorates by reputable academic institutions.


The four richest rappers in the US according to Forbes are business moguls who have started multimillion Dollar enterprises in and outside music; thus influencing the youth to take up entrepreneurship as a career path. Although we have seen a major increase in the influence of hip hop in our shores through clothing, lingo, advertising etc; the honours enjoyed by hip hop in the US are incomparable to those enjoyed by hip hop in Africa.


That’s the reason why the news that Cassper Nyovest will be given a platform to lecture on hip hop in the US was welcomed with great excitement. I am, however, disappointed by the lukewarm media coverage of such a landmark in our hip hop’s history. I wouId have assumed that these news would make headlines.


It is not the first time that momentous events such as these have been ignored by the media.  News about the negatives of hip hop seem to travel fast.
Locally I am glad that rappers such as KrTC have started being recognised for their work in and outside music. I support Illa Penboy’s Fill Up Mavuso Campaign. 


Can I implore the media in Africa to do more in covering positive stories of hip hop because after all it is a highly influential art form and culture among the youth.

Bonginkhosi Nkambule

Comments (1 posted):

justin on 05/05/2016 16:43:54
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for all your Hip Hop news, Clothes, Trends, and Fashion visit. (Swag Shop coming soon)

https://younggodtheory.com

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