• icon+265(0)111 624 222
  • iconresearch@unima.ac.mw
  • iconChirunga-Zomba, Malawi

Are you a UNIMA researcher? Login

Social Consciousness: The Rapper as an Activist


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

Abstract


This chapter aims to discuss Malawian rap music as a platform for activism, in relation to two current issues: the killing of people with albinism and the Covid-19 pandemic. Drawing from several examples in the rap music genre, the chapter illustrates how rap artists have joined efforts in providing civic education to the Malawian masses. With regard to violence against people with albinism, the youth have also spoken out against the atrocities through their music. The rap youth have also taken to the microphone to dispel misinformation about Covid-19 and have assisted in reinforcing messages of prevention against the disease.


Original language en
Pages (from-to) 133-159
Publication status Published - 2023
    1. Aikins, Ama de-Graft (2020). Journal of the British Academy, Vol. 8, pp. 401.
      https://doi.org/10.5871/jba/008.401
    2. EJ Allison Jr (2011). pp. 88.
      https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:osobl/9780199744473.003.0008
    3. . .
      https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2021.38.69.27843
    4. J Banda (2021). Demographic Research, Vol. 44, (20), pp. 459.
      https://doi.org/10.4054/DemRes.2021.44.20
    5. C Barker (2018). pp. 1.
      Barker, Clare, and Stuart Murray. 2018. Introduction: On Reading Disability in Literature. In The Cambridge Companion to Literature and Disability, ed. Clare Barker and Stuart Murray, 1–13. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
    6. G Barz (2008). pp. 148.
      Barz, Gregory, and Judah Cohen. 2008. Music and HIV/AIDS in Africa. In The Garland Handbook of African Music, ed. Ruth M. Stone, 148–159. New York: Routledge.
    7. . .
      Bossaro Music Group. 2018. Mukutipheranji ft. Piksy and Taqwa. 8 October. Accessed January 1, 2019. https://www.malawi-music.com/B/1673-bossaro-music-group/5452-mukutipheranji/10319-mukutipheranji-ft-piksy-taqwaa.
    8. SH Braathen (2006). Disability & Society, Vol. 21, (6), pp. 599.
      https://doi.org/10.1080/09687590600918081
    9. J Butler (2004). .
      Butler, Judith. 2004. Precarious Life. New York: Verso.
    10. . .
      Chikoti, Martha. 2019. 90 Youths to Benefit from Tay Grin’s Driving School. 3 April. Accessed July 21, 2021. https://malawi24.com/2019/04/03/90-youths-to-benefit-from-tay-grins-driving-school/.
    11. . .
      Chirwa, Garry. 2018. Tay Grin Appointed Operation Smile MW Ambassador. 3 August. Accessed August 27, 2021. https://www.mwnation.com/tay-grin-appointed-operation-smile-mw-ambassador/.
    12. MK Clark (2018). .
      https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv224tz77
    13. MK Clark (2014). pp. ix.
      Clark, Msia Kibona, and Mickie Mwanzia Koster. 2014. Introduction. In Hip Hop and Social Change in Africa: Ni Wakati, ed. Msia Kibona Clark and Mickie Mwanzia Koster, ix–xxviii. Lanham: Lexington Books.
    14. S Clarke (2018). pp. 257.
      https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-813316-3.00012-X
    15. J Eller-Isaacs (2011). pp. 63.
      https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:osobl/9780199744473.003.0005
    16. . .
      Faiti, Osman. 2018. Gwamba Focuses on Charity, Donates K2 Million to Pashello Orphanage in Chikwawa. 13 March. Accessed August 17, 2021. https://www.nyasatimes.com/gwamba-focuses-charity-donates-k2-million-pashello-orphanange-chikwawa/.
    17. J Fenn (2000). Popular Music and Society, Vol. 24, (3), pp. 73.
      https://doi.org/10.1080/03007760008591777
    18. . .
      Gondwe, Edith. 2021. Suffix Tackles Covid Pain in New Song. The Nation. 17 February. Accessed July 19, 2021. https://www.mwnation.com/suffix-tackles-covid-pain-in-new-song/.
    19. . .
      Government of Malawi. 2018. National Action Plan on Persons with Albinism in Malawi 2018–2022.
    20. S Gunn (2009). pp. 1.
      Gunn, Shirley, and Zukiswa Puwana. 2009. Introduction. In Looking Inside: Five South African Stories of People Living with Albinism, ed. Shirley Gunn and Puwana Zukiswa, 1–10. Cape Town: Human Rights Media Centre.
    21. . .
      Henry Czar. 2020. Bwa. 6 June. Accessed August 31, 2021. https://mikozinet.com/henry-czar-bwa/.
    22. . .
      Honneth, Axel. 1995. The Struggle for Recognition: The Moral Grammar of Social Conflicts. Translated by Joel Anderson. Cambridge: Polity Press.
    23. . .
      Itai, Brian. 2021. Gwamba in Youth Empowerment Drive. 15 July. Accessed August 17, 2021. https://www.mwnation.com/gwamba-in-youth-empowerment-drive/.
    24. . .
      Kamiyala, Kondwani. 2019. No Holds Barred for Taqwa. The Nation. 22 February. Accessed March 2, 2019. https://mwnation.com/no-holds-barred-for-taqwa/.
    25. K Kao (2021). World Development, Vol. 137, pp. 1.
      https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2020.105167
    26. . .
      Kapatuka, Nellie Kanyemba. 2020. Accepting the New Normal: Malawi Comes Full Circle on Covid-19. 21 August. Accessed August 17, 2021. https://medium.com/enabling-sustainability/accepting-the-new-normal-malawi-comes-full-circle-on-covid-19-d65e456a425a.
    27. . .
      Kapindu, Harold. 2016. Boyz Lazzy Member Appeals for Togetherness of Malawi Artists. 24 March. Accessed July 19, 2021. https://www.nyasatimes.com/boyz-lazzy-member-appeals-for-togetherness-of-malawi-artists/.
    28. . .
      Kasalika, Johnny. 2021. Suffix, KIPS Restaurant Collaborate on Covid-19 Project. The Nation. 25 February. Accessed July 19, 2021. https://www.mwnation.com/suffix-kips-restaurant-collaborate-on-covid-19-project/.
    29. . .
      Khondiwa, Kenneth. 2021. Tay Grin Joins War Against Coronavirus. 4 February. Accessed August 4, 2021. http://ndirandefm.mw/index.php/national-news/85-entertainment/223-tay-grin-joins-war-aganist-coronavirus.
    30. EC Lemaire (2020). Canadian Journal of Public Health, Vol. 111, pp. 477.
      https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-020-00379-2
    31. S Lo (2014). pp. 27.
      Lo, Sheba. 2014. Building our Nation: Senegalese Hip Hop Artists as Agents of Social and Political Change. In Hip Hop and Political Change in Africa: Ni Wakati, ed. Msia Kibona Clark and Mickie Mwanzia Koster, 27–48. Lanham: Lexington Books.
    32. . .
      Lwanda, John. 2003. Orality, Music and HIV/AIDS: Interrogating the Malawi Popular Public Sphere. African Studies Association of Australasia and the Pacific Annual Conference 2003: Africa on a Global Stage: Politics, History, Economics and Culture. Adelaide: Enlighten. 1–20.
    33. JC Lwanda (2011). pp. 384.
      https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:osobl/9780199744473.003.0031
    34. JLC Lwanda (2019). The Society of Malawi Journal, Vol. 72, (1), pp. 35.
      Lwanda, John Lloyd Chipembere, and Michael Muti Phoya. 2019. Malawi at 50: Culture, Sport and Music. The Society of Malawi Journal 72 (1): 35–58.
    35. M Mandala (2021). Malawi Journal of Science and Technology, Vol. 13, (1), pp. 1.
      Mandala, Mtisunge, and Wisdom Changadeya. 2021. The Fight Against Corona Virus in Malawi: A Review of Challenges and Opportunities in the Health Sector. Malawi Journal of Science and Technology 13 (1): 1–10.
    36. . .
      Masina, Lameck. 2019. Malawi’s Albino’s Begin 2019 with Fear of Renewed Attacks. 3 January. Accessed June 18, 2019. https://www.voanews.com/a/malawi-s-albinos-begin-new-year-with-fear-of-renewed-attacks/4727109.html
    37. . .
      Masters, Reyhana. 2020. COVID-19 in Africa: Songs, Music, and Maps versus Teargas and Rubber Bullets. 4 April. Accessed August 9, 2021. https://ifex.org/curbing-covid-19-in-africa-songs-music-and-maps-versus-teargas-and-rubber-bullets/.
    38. . .
      Matonga, Golden. 2019. Tale of Terror: Albino Attack Leaves Villagers in Fear. 2019 February. Accessed March 12, 2019. https://www.mwnation.com/tale-of-terror-albino-attack-leaves-villagers-in-fear/.
    39. . .
      MfumuHyphen. 2021. Osaphweketsa Feat. Saint, Hyphen, Ritaa and Barry Uno. 13 January. Accessed August 31, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ybbxENc78o.
    40. M Morgan (2011). Daedalus, Vol. 140, (2), pp. 176.
      https://doi.org/10.1162/DAED_a_00086
    41. . .
      Mtambo, Kelvin. 2019. Taqwa, the Rap Phenomenon Who Has Taken Up the Mic to Battle the Abductions and Killings of People with Albinism. Mikozi Network. February. Accessed March 2, 2019. https://mikozinetwork.com/2019/02/taqwa-the-rap-phenomenon-who-has-taken-up-the-mic-to-battle-the-abductions-and-killings-of-people-with-albinism/.
    42. . .
      Music in Africa. n.d. Gwamba. Accessed August 6, 2021. https://www.musicinafrica.net/node/9981.
    43. F Nahavandi (2016). .
      https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-50584-2
    44. . .
      Ngwira, Kandani, and Matt Smith. 2020. Coronavirus Echoes HIV Crisis in Malawi. 2 June. Accessed August 17, 2021. https://www.marketwatch.com/story/coronavirus-echoes-hiv-crisis-in-malawi-2020-06-02.
    45. M Ntarangwi (2009). .
      Ntarangwi, Mwenda. 2009. East African Hip Hop: Youth Culture and Globalization. Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press.
    46. . .
      https://doi.org/10.1080/23311983.2021.1946245
    47. A Parivudhiphongs (2020). Journal of Urban Culture Research, Vol. 20, pp. 1.
      https://doi.org/10.58837/CHULA.JUCR.20.1.1
    48. P Patel (2020). PanAfrican Medical Journal, Vol. 35, (Suppl 2), pp. 2.
      Patel, Parth, Yusuff Adebayo Adebisi, Munharo Steven, and Don Eliseo Lucero-Prisno III. 2020. Addressing COVID-19 in Malawi. PanAfrican Medical Journal 35 (Suppl 2): 2.
    49. . .
      Phyzix. 2020. Tigonjetsa Coronavirus (Prod. Don Foxxy). 26 March. Accessed August 17, 2021. https://www.malawi-music.com/P/25-phyzix/8235-tigonjetsa-coronavirus/13775-tigonjetsa-coronavirus-prod-don-foxxy.
    50. T Rose (1994). .
      Rose, Tricia. 1994. Black Noise: Rap Music and Black Culture in Contemporary America. Hanover: Wesleyan University Press.
    51. Y Sano (2016). BMC International Health and Human Rights, Vol. 16, (16), pp. 1.
      Sano, Yujiro, Roger Antabe, Killian Nasung Atuoye, Lucia Kafui Hussey, Jason Bayne, Sylvester Zackaria Galaa, Paul Mkandawire, and Isaac Luginaah. 2016. Persistent Misconceptions about HIV Transmission among Males and Females in Malawi. BMC International Health and Human Rights 16 (16): 1–10.
    52. PK Saucier (2014). pp. 196.
      https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137283115_12
    53. J Seebode (2012). pp. 234.
      Seebode, Jochen. 2012. Popular Music and Young Male Audiences in Contemporary Malawi. In Hip Hop Africa: New African Music in a Globalizing World, ed. Eric Charry, 234–257. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.
    54. . .
      SevenOmore. 2016. Mkwiyo wa Alubino ft. MingMing, Cyree, Gilbert and Auto Prince. 25 October. Accessed June 18, 2019. http://www.malawi-music.com/1/909-sevenomore/2136-single/5189-mkwiyo-wa-alubino-feat-ming-ming-cyree-gilbert-auto-prince.
    55. G Smitherman (1997). Journal of Black Studies, Vol. 28, (1), pp. 3.
      https://doi.org/10.1177/002193479702800101
    56. . .
      Suffix. Interview by Ken Junior Lipenga. 2021a. Personal Interview Lilongwe (13 September).
    57. . .
      Suffix. 2021b. Suffix—Misozi ft Esther Chitheka. 16 February. Accessed August 31, 2021. https://www.malawi-music.com/S/880-suffix/10044-misozi/15933-misozi-ft-esther-chitheka.
    58. . .
      Taqwa. 2019. Taqwa—We Gon B Alright. Lombwe, Kabol, 23 January. Accessed March 2, 2019. https://youtu.be/uNDqwjz0y1A.
    59. . .
      Tay Grin. 2014. Tay Grin interview with Times TV. 25 October. Accessed August 3, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BttUVRB6KUU.
    60. . .
      UNICEF. 2018. 12 February. Accessed July 14, 2021. https://www.unicef.org/malawi/press-releases/fredokiss-becomes-unicef-malawi-champion-children.
    61. . .
      United Nations General Assembly. 2017. Report of the Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of Human Rights by People with Albinism, A/HRC/34/59. United Nations Digital Library.
    62. . .
      https://doi.org/10.1177/03057356211026959
    63. . .
      Worldometer. 2021. Malawi Coronavirus Cases. 9 August. Accessed August 9, 2021. https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/malawi/.