In “The Stage Hip-Hop Feminism Built: A New Directions Essay,” what I found most compelling was the idea of afrofuturism. The concept portrays a “complicated [history] of people of color and visions of the future with people of color at the center while simultaneously critiquing dominant systems of power and subjugation” (Durham et al. 733). Afrofuturism appears to be expressed in lots of music videos and lyrics. In a similar vein as afrofuturism, Jeff Chang discusses how many hip-hop artists today are making conscious lyrics to fight against oppressive systems of power and subjugation. Chang discusses how the hip-hop artist, Hamada Ben Amor, created a song called ““Head of State” which had the lyric, “President, your people are dying.”” Through powerful lyrics, Hamada allowed the audience to envision a future ruined by a despotic president. This allowed the mobilization of protests against the tyrannical regime in Tunisia.
The idea of afrofuturism seems to be highlighted in the song by Childish Gambino called “This is America.” In Gambino’s song, the history of African-American music is shown to be evolving through different styles like folk and gospel while being subjugated by guns and violence from the dominant American society. I can see the power influence of Hamada’s song in another song by Queen called “I Want to Break Free,” where the provocative lyrics helped fuel protests against oppressive regimes in South Africa and countries in South America. Music can be a powerful vehicle for people of color to highlight injustice and I’m happy that with improved technology more people can create and share music to uncover more hidden discrimination.
Childish Gambino’s “This is America”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYOjWnS4cMY
Queen’s “I Want to Break Free”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH8q2ifO3pI
References:
Aisha Durham, Brittney C. Cooper, and Susana M. Morris, “The Stage Hip-Hop Feminism Built: A New Directions Essay,” Signs, Vol. 38, No. 3 (Spring 2013) (PDF)
Bill Moyers Show interview, Theresa Riley with Jeff Chang, Q & A: Still Fighting the Power (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
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