Home Institution
University of Colorado
Publication Date
Fall 2014
Abstract
This project delves into the Cape Town Hip Hop scene in an attempt to uncover how it is an inclusive and empowering space that allows individuals to deconstruct and reconstruct individual and group identities in order to subvert colonial narratives. In order to uncover the power of Hip Hop this project uses 3 interviews with individuals intimately connected to the Hip Hop scene and reviews an abundance of literature surrounding the topic. The history of ‘coloured’ as a racial classification is analysed alongside with other research and is placed within the context of contemporary Capetonian Hip Hop in order to uncover 1) the history of Hip Hop and rap music in Cape Town, 2) how it is a space where the ‘coloured’ identity can be explored, negated, or empowered, 3) how local forms of rap music are very much localised and are not forms of American imperialism, and 4) how local Capetonian Hip Hop fits into the global Hip Hop Movement. Tis project is situated as a part of the Hip Hop Movement and in conjunction with the participants in order to further develop studies in Hip Hop and how it brings a voice to the voiceless and a spotlight to the invisible.
Disciplines
African Studies | Arts and Humanities | Civic and Community Engagement | Dance | Performance Studies | Race and Ethnicity | Race, Ethnicity and Post-Colonial Studies
Recommended Citation
Dover, Joseph Thomas, "The Complicated ‘Colours’ of Rhythm: A Study of Capetonian’s Battle for Identity through the Hip Hop Movement in Post-Apartheid South Africa" (2014). Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection. 2030.
https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/isp_collection/2030
Included in
African Studies Commons, Civic and Community Engagement Commons, Dance Commons, Performance Studies Commons, Race and Ethnicity Commons, Race, Ethnicity and Post-Colonial Studies Commons
Program Name
South Africa: Multiculturalism and Human Rights