Question

African Hip-Hop 2

What role does religion play in Senegalese Hip Hop? What differences/similarities are there between the reception of Christian Hip Hop artist and songs stateside? Explain your perception of these differences/similarities.

Answer 1

• After hip hop came to Africa in the 1980s and went from being a fad to an African youth movement, communities emerged in a number of countries to dominate the continent's hip hop scene. Among the leaders of this movement are Senegalese artists, who are not only among the best and most political in Africa, but also the most respected in francophone Africa.
• Through the art form of hip hop, the youth in Senegal are rising up as some of the most socially provocative artists in Africa.
• Senegal's hip hop scene is distinctive and its artists extremely talented. The country has a history of strong musical traditions, including tassou, which is similar to rapping. Senegalese rap artists today often blend local sounds and, realizing they will have more of an impact rapping in a local language, they rap either entirely in Wolof or a in blend of French and Wolof.
• The direction hip hop has taken might partly be attributed to religion which has a huge influence on Senegalese culture. The culture frowns upon boasting about material possessions.
• Continuing the political nature of traditional griots, Pape et Cheikh, a folk duo, craft their music with the mission to unite the conflicting social and religious groups of their country. Senegalese musicians use hip hop as a medium to discuss the crises facing Africa and also spread messages about theri religion.
• Many of Senegal’s prominent rappers today are committed adherents of the Fay?a Tij?niyya Sufi (mystical Islamic) movement who rap about religious knowledge. Even the Fay?a’s senior, classically trained authorities tend to accept Hip Hop as an effective tool to promulgate religious principles and recruit new disciples. The line between rapper and Islamic preacher has become blurred, and several rappers are even formally appointed spiritual guides with their own disciples.
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