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The Language of Malawian Rap


Author(s) : Ken Lipenga
Pop Music, Culture and Identity

Abstract


Language has always been one of the key areas of focus in discussions of rap music. This chapter has the intention of exploring the language used in Malawian rap music, not merely to show the blending of local languages with English, but to highlight the impact of this linguistic activity on the status of the artists and, consequently, on their situation of waithood. The chapter locates the language used in Malawian rap music as drawing from Global Hip Hop Nation Language (GHHNL), but also formed among the youth as an African Urban Youth Language (AUYL). The hypothesis is that linguistic versatility, as it is expressed in the music, provides a passport up the ranks of social status and may also translate into economic gain. The chapter presents the three key trends in Malawian rap, and also highlights various other linguistic features that determine how rappers are evaluated. The discussion features some extracts from rap songs in order to illustrate the use of language by the rappers.


Original language en
Pages (from-to) 37-61
Publication status Published - 2023

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10.1007/978-3-031-15251-1_3

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https://www.springer.com/tdm
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Access document

10.1007/978-3-031-15251-1_3

License

https://www.springer.com/tdm