Issue

Vol. 9 No. 3 (2021)

Hip-hop Poetry and Political Transformation: Citing Examples from Tanzania

https://doi.org/10.56279/jhss.v9i3.136
method samwel

Corresponding Author(s) : method samwel

dpadmin@duce.ac.tz

Journal of Humanities & Social Science (JHSS), Vol. 9 No. 3 (2021)

Abstract

This article describes the role of hip-hop in political transformation of African countries,
citing examples from Tanzania. The article presents that hip-hop artists view the political
systems of most African countries as the source of the continent’s socio-economic crisis and,
therefore, demand for change of African political systems and behaviours. This article is a
result of a qualitative research that deployed various research methods, including text
collection and analysis, transcription, interviews, and administration of questionnaires. Hiphop texts were collected, transcribed, and analysed. Data collection, analysis and
interpretation were guided by the reader response literary theory, which views the
interpretation of literary genres—hip-hop poetry being one of them—as being determined
by the reader/audience. Generally, our research revealed that many hip-hop artists in
Tanzania call for political transformation. They call upon people to participate in elections,
elect responsible leaders, and put an end to political corruption and favouritism. Other calls
include political repentance, access to the constitution, and the separation between politics
and business. Also, the article describes how hip-hop artists call for women’s participation
in politics, formulation of new a constitution that will enable free and fair elections, and
youth involvement in politics. The article places politics at the centre of initiatives to enhance
socio-political and economic development of Tanzania and other African countries.

Hip-hop Poetry and Political Transformation: Citing Examples from Tanzania. (2022). Journal of Humanities & Social Science (JHSS), 9(3). https://doi.org/10.56279/jhss.v9i3.136
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Hip-hop Poetry and Political Transformation: Citing Examples from Tanzania. (2022). Journal of Humanities & Social Science (JHSS), 9(3). https://doi.org/10.56279/jhss.v9i3.136
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