Ok so alot of self proclaimed art critics in Malawi constantly whine about how popular 'Malawian music is losing its culture. These critics are especially quick to point this out with the current rise and popularity of urban music (HipHop,Pop, and more recenlty Afro-pop). I vehemntly deny this statement without bias whatsoever although I myself am a budding hiphop artist.
Before you write me off pay attention to my reasons. Their criticism is not constructive at all and lacks some intelligence. 'Culture' (i.e in the sense they use) is not perpetual. This means that no culture in the history of society has ever maintained its form. Culture is a direct result of imagination,modification, and improvement of what was already. I beleive its also safe to say alot of the 'culture' existing in the world is quite much modified to fit the current age we are living in somehow. No society whether Western, African, or Oriental is the same as it were a century ago. New inventions, travel, education, and media all contribute to the ever-changing face of culture.
Yes, the hiphop we have today is somewhat an importation of what is in America. Nevertheless if you do track its history down, you will find its origins still related with the much rythmous beating of the African drum. I think that these critics try to impose their tastes on a much younger and quickly learning generation where they themselves can not change. Culutre is not art alone...Dress code, values etc. And obviously many of these critics do 'borrow' alot from the Western culture they so much hate onl.
If we should all sing 'manganje' then let's remove everything The West has ever influenced us with... The dressing etc.....
Alot of Malawian hiphop artist's do try to maintain identity however by using our local languages or even 'Africanised' instrumentals. So all hope is not lost if it's actually a matter of identity. Give artistic credit where its due!Blessings
Before you write me off pay attention to my reasons. Their criticism is not constructive at all and lacks some intelligence. 'Culture' (i.e in the sense they use) is not perpetual. This means that no culture in the history of society has ever maintained its form. Culture is a direct result of imagination,modification, and improvement of what was already. I beleive its also safe to say alot of the 'culture' existing in the world is quite much modified to fit the current age we are living in somehow. No society whether Western, African, or Oriental is the same as it were a century ago. New inventions, travel, education, and media all contribute to the ever-changing face of culture.
Yes, the hiphop we have today is somewhat an importation of what is in America. Nevertheless if you do track its history down, you will find its origins still related with the much rythmous beating of the African drum. I think that these critics try to impose their tastes on a much younger and quickly learning generation where they themselves can not change. Culutre is not art alone...Dress code, values etc. And obviously many of these critics do 'borrow' alot from the Western culture they so much hate onl.
If we should all sing 'manganje' then let's remove everything The West has ever influenced us with... The dressing etc.....
Alot of Malawian hiphop artist's do try to maintain identity however by using our local languages or even 'Africanised' instrumentals. So all hope is not lost if it's actually a matter of identity. Give artistic credit where its due!Blessings
