The Hip Hop African
The Hip Hop African is the longest-running podcast dedicated to African Hip Hop culture. It features discussions on African Hip Hop music and culture from across the continent and the diaspora. Produced in the Department of African Studies at Howard University, the podcast is available at www.hiphopafrican.com and on all major podcast platforms.
Episodes
Ep. 107: What Is Hip Hop Studies?
In this solo episode of The Hip Hop African Podcast, Msia explores the question: What is Hip Hop Studies?
The episode approaches Hip Hop Studies from an African Studies and cultural studies perspective. Msia explains that Hip Hop Studies is not simply the study of rap music. It is an interdisciplinary field that examines hip-hop culture as performance, politics, language, identity, pedagogy, so
Continental Cadences Episode 24: The Global South has Something to Say
Description: The stories told through Hip Hop's musical artists are unique when looked at through an African lens. This episode of Continental Cadences explores why African Hip Hop "hits different" by examining aspects of the genre's complex versions of identity and how they are portrayed through the musical artists' performances. The goal of this podcast episode is to break down three main points
Hip-Hop: The Vanguard of the Revolution? Buna After Dark Podcast
In this episode, we’ll talk about Hip-hop artists who have engaged in protest Literature and Combat Literature based on the analysis of Frantz Fanon’s Wretched of the Earth, as expanded Dr. Msia Clark in her book Hip Hop in Africa: Prophets of the City & Dustyfoot Philosophers.
Throughout the continent, Hip-hop has been used to stand up against injustice, but which artists an
Voices of Ghana
This podcast is hosted by Shamma Alhammadi and Sandra Senpeteri, and it takes a closer look at Ghana through conversation, culture, and personal perspective. We talk about what makes Ghana unique beyond the usual facts, highlighting its history, identity, and the stories that give it real depth.
Special Series: Student Voices in African Hip Hop
In this special introduction episode, The Hip Hop African Podcast launches a curated student series featuring standout final projects from the Hip Hop & Social Change in Africa course at Howard University and George Washington University.
These short podcast episodes highlight how students are critically engaging African hip hop as culture, politics, storytelling, identity formation, and re
Ep 106: Hip-Hop as Archive, Pedagogy, and Practice: The Work of Osmic Menoe
In this episode of The Hip Hop African Podcast, we sit down with South African hip-hop pioneer Osmic Menoe to explore the history, evolution, and future of hip-hop culture in South Africa. From founding Back to the City, Africa’s largest hip-hop festival, to building the South African Hip Hop Awards and developing the continent’s first hip-hop museum, Menoe reflects on archiving and institution bu
Ep. 105: Afrobeats vs. Hip Hop: Why the Distinction Matters
Is Afrobeats hip hop? In this solo episode of The Hip Hop African Podcast, Msia breaks down one of the most persistent debates in global music: the confusion between Afrobeats and hip hop.
While the genres often overlap — and frequently collaborate — they are not the same. This episode explores the structural, historical, and political differences between African hip hop and Afrobeats, from bre
Ep. 104: Dokta on African Graffiti, Hip-Hop Pedagogy & Social Change
This episode of The Hip Hop African Podcast features Dokta, a pioneering Senegalese graffiti artist, cultural organizer, and hip-hop activist whose work has been central to the development of African graffiti and street art since the late 1980s. Coming to hip-hop through graffiti, breakdancing, and MCing, Dokta represents an early generation of African hip-hop practitioners who understood the cult
Ep. 103: Ready D on Four Decades of South African Hip Hop
In this episode of The Hip Hop African Podcast, Dr. Msia Kibona Clark sits down with South African hip hop pioneer DJ Ready D — legendary turntablist, founding member of Prophets of Da City (POC), cultural educator, community builder, and one of the most important figures in shaping Cape Town’s hip hop identity.
“We were the first generation, so nobody understood this music — they watched th
Ep 102: Simon of Y’en a Marre on Hip Hop, Activism, & the New Senegalese
In this episode, we talk with Simon, rapper and co-founder of Y’en a Marre, the Senegalese movement that turned hip hop into a force for political change. Simon reflects on the group’s impact during the 2011 elections, their call for a “New Type of Senegalese,” and his new project Rapping History, which uses hip hop to decolonize education and reclaim African narratives.
“We realized the fi
Ep 101: Respect the Technique: A Mixtape Episode
In this episode, we’re bringing you a special mixtape featuring 24 tracks released in 2024 and 2025 by MCs from across the continent, including Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.
The mix highlights:
Languages: English, Swahili, Ga, Yoruba, and more.
Artists: Established names like Modenine, M.anifest, Nadia Nakai, alongside rising voices you may be hearing fo
Unapologetic: African Women in Hip-Hop
In this episode of Let Her Cook called Unapologetic, two of our students dive into the world of African women in hip-hop. They discuss artists from West, East, and Southern Africa: Eno Barony (Ghana), Keko (Uganda), Gigi Lamayne (South Africa), and Reespect (Nigeria), women who aren’t waiting for permission to speak; they’re taking the mic and making space for themselves. From Keko’s fearless visi
The Sound of the Diaspora: Identity and Resistance in African Hip Hop
Tracks
“Becky” by Amine
“Hello Africa” by Blitz The Ambassador
“Never Fight an African” by Styles P
“Sue Me” by Wale
“Sue me, I’m rootin’ for everybody that’s Black.” This lyric embodies more than a mindset as it reflects a movement rooted in solidarity. The African diaspora refers to the global dispersion of people of African descent, beginning with the trans-Atlantic slave tra
Ep. 100: Fou Malade: Hip Hop, Resistance, and the Making of a New African
This episode is from a 2024 interview with Malal Talla—better known as Fou Malade—a legendary figure in Senegalese hip hop and co-founder of the activist collective Y’en a Marre. A key voice in Senegal's social and political landscape, Fou Malade shares his journey from early musical influences and socially conscious lyricism to organizing protests and grassroots mobilization through music.
In
Thank you for your support
We are back after a 1-year hiatus. It was difficult to maintain the production schedule as it was, so we will be scaling down a lot. We will continue to release conversations about Hip Hop in Africa and the African diaspora.
Our first episode back will be an interview with Senegalese hip hop artist and co-founder of the activist collective Y’en a Marre, Malal, aka Fou Malade. He is a major
HHAP 99: ZuluMecca, Finding Truth in Creative Expression
ZuluMecca, also known as Mandisa Nduna, has made a name for herself as a rapper and actress. With a unique style and powerful lyrics, ZuluMecca is a versatile artist who transitions between music and acting. A talented lyricist and actor, ZuluMecca's presence in the entertainment industry has continued to grow. She most recently released the EP Seams. This conversation with the podcast and our stu
HHAP 98: Hip Hop’s Golden Ticket?
Go to the announcements page for information on events and albums discussed in the episode.
In this episode, I break down the road to breakdancing at the 2024 Paris Olympics. I also have a solo debate about the topic of appropriation, referencing Ada Enechi's 2023 article: Are Black People Being Pushed out of Hip Hop?
I also discuss the online hubbub about South African artist Tyla's racial
HHAP 97: Graffiti and Streetology w/S. Africa’s Breeze Yoko
I'm doing a PhD in Streetology, in the University of LifeBreeze Yoko
Breeze Yoko created a series of works at the Hall Of Fame in Brixton, U.K.
Breeze Yoko is an internationally known South African graffiti artist. Breeze Yoko grew up in Cape Town, in Gugulethu and Nyanga East. He is known for his vibrant and thought-provoking street art, and for bringing a unique perspe
HHAP 96: Hip Hop Anniversaries and Events
Political protests, breakdance competitions, U.S. artists and Africa, new book on London hip hop, call for papers, events on women & hip hop, The Grammys recognizes African hip hop, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducts hip hop, and...
30 years since Prophets of da City performed at the inauguration of Nelson Mandela on May 10, 1994
There are also upcoming Hip-Hop events happening
Rhythms of Identity: A Conversation With Cameroonian Artist and Student Astrid Mafogang
In this conversation, Kat and I had the pleasure of speaking with Cameroonian international student and hip-hop artist Astrid Mafogang about her experience in the music industry today as a part of the African diaspora. We dove into the complexities of identity and representation, gaining insight into Astrid’s music-making process and how she views and incorporates her Cameroonian identity into her
Broadening Rap to New Horizons: A Conversation with Rapper SixSaidIt
"All of these different cultures are a part of me. I didn't want to limit myself to one sound."
-Six
SixSaidIt is a multifaceted artist who seamlessly flows across the borders between hip-hop’s hottest subgenres to create a sound that is uniquely her own. In this wide-ranging conversation, I had the opportunity to speak to Six about the cultural influences that compelled her to rap, her experie
HHAP Ep 95: South African Hip-Hop Pioneer Emile YX?
This year, our Spring Series covers South Africa. In this episode, we have a conversation with South African Hip-Hop pioneer Emile YX?. Emile is part of the pioneering Hip Hop group Black Noise, one of the earliest Hip Hop groups in South Africa. He later co-founded the Hip Hop NGO Heal the Hood, which is based in the Cape Flats community of Cape Town, South Africa. A Hip Hop elder statesman, scho
HHAP 94: Hip Hop’s Political Footprints
HHAP 93: Magui Diop: A New Generation of Hip Hop Women in Senegal
A WordPress.com website
HHAP 92: Lots of Awards and New Releases from Nigeria
Publications
HHAP 91: Hip Hop in Africa and the African Diaspora with Toni Blackman
Toni at Howard University with Howard University and George Washington University students in the Hip Hop in Africa class
This episode is a sit-down conversation with Toni Blackman. Toni is an artist, hip-hop activist, writer, and cultural ambassador. She holds the distinction of being the first hip-hop ambassador to the U.S. State Department, and her work has had a significant impact on the gl
HHAP 90: News, Events, and Rap Joint Lagos
Apple Music's Hip Hop DNA | The Sound of Freedom: The Evolution of SA Hip-Hop
Apple Music is celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop with the “Hip Hop DNA” series. One episode is focused on South Africa. The Hip Hop DNA series shows the diversity of hip-hop sounds, histories, and communities worldwide through radio episodes, playlists, and album selections. This episode on South Africa
HHAP 89: Hip Hop Conferences & New Releases
Links and information discussed in the episode
A Huis Clos, a play by French rapper Kerry James.
15 November - 3 December at Théâtre du Rond-Point in Paris France
A new play by French rap legend, Kery James and French director and writer Marc Lainé. In À huis clos, Kery James plays Soulaymaan, a lawyer whose brother is murdered by the police. Soulaymaan decides to tak
HHAP 88: October 2023 Hip Hop African News, Events, and Updates
The 2023 WDSF Africa Breaking Championship took place in Rabat, Morocco, May 6-7. 58 Breakers took part in the Championships, which was officiated by nine international judges, including Kaweesi Mark from Uganda and Vee from South Africa. Moroccan b-girl Elmamouny and b-boy Billy become the first athletes to qualify in the Olympics for breaking.
Moroccan b-girl Elmamouny defeated South Africa's
HHAP Ep. 87: The Indigenization of Breakdance Aesthetics in Uganda
Alfdaniels Mabingo (2022) Re-Contextualising Breakdance Aesthetics: Performance, Performativity, and Re-Enaction of Breakdancing in Uganda, Journal of African Cultural Studies, 34:4, 404-421, DOI: 10.1080/13696815.2022.2132473
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Alfdaniels Mabingo who wrote a fascinating article on breakdance in Uganda for the Journal of
HHAP Ep. 86: Hip Hop Events, Updates, News, & the Burna Boy/Khaligraph Jones Conversations
August - December 2023 | Culture Curators: Hip Hop 50 | National Museum of Accra (Ghana)
A new exhibit opens at the National Museum in Ghana in Accra. The exhibit runs from August 27 - December and focuses on hip hop’s global influence and the influence and contributions of Ghana in the global culture of Hip Hop.
They will be exhibiting texts on hip-hop, including Ice Cold: A Hip-Hop
HHAP Ep. 85: Police Brutality in France, Democracy in Dakar, and Hip-Hop’s 50th
Events discussed in the episode
August 10 & 11 | Hip-Hop 50: Past, Present & Future | Howard University
Join us for a dynamic fusion of academic discourse and cultural celebration. Engage with renowned scholars, influential artists, and passionate enthusiasts as we explore the multifaceted dimensions of Hip Hop's impact on society, music, fashion, and activism.
Delve i
HHAP Ep. 84: A Conversation with M.I. Abaga on Integrity and Longevity in Hip Hop
Understanding the World of HipHop and Afrobeats with legendary Nigerian Hip Hop artist M.I. Abaga
Jude Lemfani Abaga, also known as M.I. Abaga He is a Nigerian rapper, songwriter, and music producer. He was born originally in Jos, Northern Nigeria, and released his debut album in 2008. He was the CEO of the label Chocolate City from 2015 to 2019 and then started his label in 2020 with incredi
HHAP Ep 83: Nigeria’s Dhoro Styles on Graffiti as a Medium of Communication
Peter King Ubiebor also known as Dhoro Styles is a Nigerian street and graffiti artist. He holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental biology from the University of Benin in Edo state, Nigeria. Dhoro Styles has a strong focus on drawing, painting, graffiti writing, and creating murals with spray paints and paintbrush techniques.
In our conversation with him, Dhoro Styles told us that his in
HHAP Ep 82: Nigeria’s Loudbase AF Promoting Hip-Hop in Africa
This is the first episode in our Spring Series, which focuses on Nigeria this year. In this episode, we talked to Victor Uwakwe Izuchukwu, the founder of Loudbase AF Entertainment, a hip-hop community organization formed in Nigeria in 2018. Loudbase is a platform “for creatives in the hip-hop community to nurture and groom skills.” They hold a yearly Hip-Hop conference, most recently in November 2
HHAP Ep. 81: M.anifest: From Madina to the Mecca
On the 15th of February, 2023, M.anifest visited Howard University, also known as The Mecca, for a historical conversation around the importance of his music and Hip Hop culture as we celebrate 50 years of Hip Hop. M.anifest is one of the most prolific MCs of his generation and came for a conversation at one of the world's most historic Black institutions of higher education. Of M.anifest, the med
HHAP Ep. 80: Introducting our New Assistant Producer & more Announcements
In this short episode, we introduce you to our student assistant producer, Miranda, who will be working with us this semester.
We also discuss plans for the show, plans to propose a new Hip-Hop Studies minor at Howard University, and an upcoming visit by Ghanaian hip-hop artist M.anifest. The episode starts with the song "Too Bad" from M.anifest's latest album From Madina to the Universe.
HHAP: Announcements and Celebrating 50 Years of Hip Hop
This is a short episode we recorded to send out a couple of announcements and to acknowledge the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop.
HHAP Ep 79: Hip-Hop culture as a space where Black identities are negotiated and presented
The initial objective was to examine the music of 2nd generation African artists in America to understand how they
Represent Black identities
Discuss shared experiences
Represent Africa
"In our simplicity we are elegant/so to us your coat and tie are irrelevant/give up my culture for your religion?, I can't"
Wanlov the Kubolor, "Gentleman"
The artists were:
HHAP Ep78: Eavesdrop on Cultivating Spaces for Authenticity in Hip-Hop
Eavesdrop is a multi-hyphenate artist who is an MC, a producer, a director, and an actor. She has been active in Cape Town's Hip-Hop scene for almost 2 decades and as a lyricist she often produces meaningful lyrics, expressing ideas that have depth.
In this interview, we had an important conversation with Eavesdrop about the importance of representation and authenticity. We talked ho
HHAP Ep77: DJ Azuhl on Hip-Hop & DJing Culture in South Africa
DJ Azuhl is a prominent South African DJ with Beat Bangaz, a DJ collective out of Cape Town. He was born and raised in Cape Town and has been involved in the Hip-Hop community in Cape Town since the 1980s.
DJ Azuhl started out breakdancing with the legendary Breaking crew Brasse Vannie Kaap (BVK). He’s a co-founder of the Beat Bangaz DJ Academy and Beat Bangaz Radio. He also works with
HHAP Ep76: FOKN Bois on Satire and Music as Social Commentary
Ghanaian hip hop duo FOKN Bois use satire to convey important social commentary on religion, politics, and sexuality. In this episode, they share their experiences and the thoughts that have gone into music and the messages they deliver.
The duo talks about their decision to rap and write in Pidgin English, which they say stems from needing to “express more of self” to reach their own peop
HHAP EP. 75: Skilled Rhymes and the Bordertowns on the Volta: Ghana’s Keeny Ice
In this episode of The Hip-Hop in Africa Podcast, we interview Ghanaian Hip-Hop artist Keeny Ice, from the bordertown of Aflao in the Volta Region of Ghana. Keeny Ice, whose lyrics are fast-paced, and rhymes complex, mixes languages, but primarily raps in Ewe. The talented lyricist joins us for part of our special spring podcast series with Words Beats & Life.
The conversation opens up wi
Conversations with African Women Artists
This is a clip of a few of the conversations that we have had with African women MCs around the world. In addition to these interviews, the podcast has produced two mixtape episodes that feature new hip-hop releases from African women around the world.
Conversations with artists revolve around many topics, including gender, sexuality, race, religion, gender-based violence, mental health, lang
HHAP Ep. 74: Fid Q on Hip Hop, Language, & Culture in Tanzania
In this episode of Hip-Hop in Africa Podcast, have a long-awaited interview with Tanzanian artist, Fid Q. The conversation begins with a discussion of Fid Q's legacy in Tanzanian Hip-Hop and his impact on the genre. We discuss his connection to Tanzanian youth and his impact with his music as he relates to his listeners on a deeper level. The conversation continues to discuss his previous projects
HHAP Ep 73: A Discussion on Race and Identity in South African Hip Hop
In part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Sipho Sithole, he discusses the regional differences in South African hip hop. He talks about the hip hop scenes in Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg. He also discusses the linguistic differences in South African hip hop and the role ethnic identity plays in the styles and languages artists utilize. He also looks at the evolution of pop music in South Afric
HHAP Ep 72: A Conversation on South African Popular Music with Sipho Sithole, p. 1
Dr. Sipho Sithole (@DrSiphoSithole) is a Research Fellow at the Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study (University of Johannesburg) and holds a PhD in Anthropology, a B.Sc in Political Science and International Relations, and an M. Sc in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management. Dr. Sithole’s research revolves around language identity, culture, migration, and integration. Sithole has a lon
HHAP EP 71: Multiple Diaspora Cultural Experiences Influencing the Creativity of Sampa the Great
Born in Zambia, Sampa the Great lived in the United States, Australia, and Botswana. With multiple African and Diaspora experiences, her music and style are very Pan African. Her work is Pan African in a very organic way. It does not claim to be conscious or preach about Pan Africanism, it just is. Because of this, as a listener, there is joy in listening to music that speaks to our multicultural
HHAP Ep 70: Xidus Pain on the UK rap scene and being a hip hop educator
Xidus Pain is a Zimbabwean artist who grew up in the UK. He’s based in London MC who has been involved and influenced by the UK hip hop scene since he was a young kid. He currently works in schools, universities, communities centers, and prisons as a hip-hop educator. He's been doing this for over ten years. As an artist, he has worked with musicians from around the world from members of
HHAP EP. 69: Industry Vet Buddha Blaze on the nature of the music industry in Kenya and Beyond
Buddha Blaze is a Kenyan blogger, podcaster, and music industry insider with over 20 years of experience. He has worked throughout the continent and the diaspora with artists and producers from around the world. He was a major part of the British Council's WaPi (Words & Pictures) initiative, which showcased hip hop, poetry, fashion breakdance, and graffiti culture in Nairobi. He has also consu
HHAP Ep. 68: Edem, On Navigating the Music Industry in Ghana
In this episode, Ghanaian hip-hop & hiplife artist Edem talks about the music industry in Ghana and the popularity of Afrobeats. Edem also talks about the presence of Ghanaian and Nigerian artists in shaping Black popular music globally, especially in the US and the UK. He also talks about how Ghanaians have always done music according to their own rules, creating genres and trends like highli
HHAP EP. 67: Yugen Blakrok on Spirituality & the Spectrums of Human Experience Found in Her Music
Yugen Blakrok doesn't incorporate hip hop's boom-bap style, she has no interest in being the Queen of SA rap, she does not do trap, and she is not interested in being boxed into someone's idea of a conscious MC. Her music has been described as “a mix of sci-fi soundscapes & meditative melodies”. It's definitely introspective and speaks to you on several levels. It blends references to places,
HHAP Ep. 66: Kanyi Mavi, and the cultural & Political significance of Doing Hip Hop in Xhosa
Kanyi Mavi is a Cape Town-based lyricist who is well respected for her creative use of Xhosa to create powerful hip-hop verses. She sometimes raps and vocalizes over Xhosa instrumentals, introducing hip hop to Xhosa culture in a way the really raises the bar. Her music also speaks to important social issues like sexual harassment, domestic violence, and drug abuse. She released her first album, Ii
HHAP EP. 65: Sugar Emcee on the History and Dynamics of Kenya’s Hip Hop Industry
Sugar joins the conversations with students in the Hip Hop in Africa class from her home in Nairobi. She was born in Nairobi and grew up in Kiambu, just outside of Nairobi. After signing a deal with Phoenix Records in 2007, she would release three albums. While not new to the hip hop scene in Kenya, she is an underground artist who talks about navigating Kenya's entertainment industry. Nairobi has
HHAP EP. 64: Minista of Agrikulcha (MOA) on the African presence in U.S. hip hop
This episode features a conversation with Ghana's Minista of Agrikulcha (MOA). The multilingual, transnational MOA was born in Ghana, but lived in the Ivory Coast for several years. In the Ivory Coast he was part of that country's hip hop scene in the 1980s and 1990s. He moved to the US for college in the early 2000s, where he got involved in the undergraduate rap scene. He released his first albu
HHAP EP. 63: Gigi Lamayne on Representation & Dismantling Respectability Politics
This is the first in a special series of episodes being recorded lives with African Studies students at Howard University and George Washington University. The series is co-hosted with Words Beas & Life, who is also live-streaming the episodes on their Facebook page on Wednesday nights at 5pm EST. The schedule is on our website at hiphopafrican.com.
A part of the “born free” generation, Gi
HHAP Ep. 62: Sensai T8 and The HIPHOCALYPSE Fort-Knights Podcast
HIPHOCALYPSE Fort-Knights was a radio show first produced on the campus of Rhodes University in South Africa in 1999, and made available on podcasting platforms in 2006. The podcast ran for about three years, releasing more than 20 episodes, some of which can still be heard on Podomatic. HIPHOCALYPSE Fort-Knights was the first regularly produced podcast on African hip hop. The show was the only pl
HHAP Ep. 61: An African Hip Hop Palaver
In this palaver, we have a lively chat with Ghanaian hip hop/hiplife scholar Dr. Nii Kotei Nikoi. We talked about the hiplife and hip hop music industry in Ghana, especially one of the country's most popular artist's Sarkodie. Nii discusses the structure of Ghana's music industry, the way artists construct their images, and the role of class (and language) in Ghana's popular music scene. We a
HHAP Ep. 60: The Dope Saint Jude Episode
Dope Saint Jude is a South African hip hop artist who was born and raised Cape Town. A former Political Science student at the University of Cape Town, she started her hip hop career in 2011 as a drag king. Her drag king persona was Saint Dude, and resembled rapper Lil Wayne. After releasing several singles, Dope Saint Jude’s first EP, Reimagine, was released in 2016, Her second project, Resilient
HHAP Ep. 59: Moonaya on Dakar’s hip hop collectives, hip hop Pan Africanism, & Western imperialism in Africa.
Moonaya is an extremely talented MC in one of the strongest hip hop scenes in the world. A Pan Africanist, her background represents her political views. Moonaya is originally from Benin, but she grew up in Senegal. While her father is Senegalese, her mother is Togolese, and one of her grandmothers was Nigerian. She grew up in a musical home where she heard a range of African music, as well as mus
HHAP Ep. 58: The Tanzanian and Diaspora Artists Behind The Lounge Tanzania Mixtape
The Lounge Tanzania Mixtape Volume 1 is a project that brings together Tanzanian and Diaspora singers, rappers, and poets. The project features artists that are internationally known, as well as artists just starting their careers.
In this conversation with seven of the artists, we talk about the evolution of the project and how the project reflects hip hop and popular culture in Tanzania. We a
HHAP Ep. 57: Octopizzo on Hip Hop, Refugees, and POlice Brutality in Kenya
An MC, activist, and actor, Octopizzo was born in Nairobi, in the notorious Kibera slums, one of the largest slums in the world. His mixtape and album releases include: The Come Up V 1 (2008; Mixtape), El Classico (2014; Mixtape), Chocolate City (2014; album), LDPC (2015; album), Refugeenius (2016, album), and Next Year (2018; album).
He addresses a lot of social issues, including poverty, e
HHAP Ep. 56: Lord Ekomy Ndong on Gabonese Hip-Hop & French Politics
Lord Ekomy Ndong, has been a leading voice in the African hip hop scene since 1990, when he founded the Gabonese group Movaizhaleine. Movaizhaleine's 1999 debut album was Mission Mbeng. He released his 1st solo album, L’Afrikain, in 2003. It is considered by many to be a hip-hop classic. Over his career, he has done collaborations with several artists, and released numerous studio albums.&nbs
Hip Hop and Chill with Ife, Fatima and Itohan
This is an episode of Hip Hop & Chill with Ife, Fatima and Itohan. In this episode, we discuss Falz The Bad Guy's latest album, Moral Instruction (2019). We will discussing three songs from the album, and giving our opinion on this wonderful album.
Hip Hop Hour: Review of God Decides by Tellaman
This is an episode of Hip Hop Hour with Teg and Liam. In this episode they review the album God Decides by South African artist Tellaman.
HHAP Ep. 55: HIP HOP PALAVER, V.2
This is a special episode of the Hip Hop African Podcast. It is a collaboration between the HHA Podcast and the Global Hip Hop Exchange (GHHE), which is an online network/community of hip hop creatives who are primarily from, or based in, Africa.
This is our second hip-hop palaver, with hip-hop creatives from around the continent. This time we continued the reflection on the COVID19 from the pe
HHAP Ep. 54: A conversation with MC Jahi from Enemy Radio
This episode features MC Jahi, who is a member of Enemy Radio with Chuck D, DJ Lord & S1W's. He is also an MC, a DJ and an educator. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Jahi launched his professional career in 1999 as the opening artist for a show that was headlined by Public Enemy at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Soon after, he connected with Chuck D and has since worked with him on several
HHAP Ep. 53: Hip Hop Palaver, v.1
This is a special episode of the Hip Hop African Podcast. It is a collaboration between the HHA Podcast and the Global Hip Hop Exchange (GHHE), which is an online network/community of hip hop creatives who are primarily from, or based in, Africa.
In the first discussion, or palaver, several hip hop creatives from around the continent came together to talk about the impacts of the Corona virus o
HHAP Ep. 52: Medusa, Navigating Hip Hop in Tunisia & France
Medusa is a Tunisian artist who emerged as an MC in Tunisia’s hip hop community around the time of the Arab Spring of the 2010s. Her career as an MC has followed an interesting path, as she often found herself in the role of “conscious MC”, being one of the few women in the Tunisian hip hop community and speaking out on important social issues.
In this interview she talks about hip hop under t
HHAP Ep. 51: Roma Mkatoliki, Challenging Hip Hop Activism in Tanzania
In this episode of the Hip Hop African Podcast, we interview Tanzanian hip hop artist and activist Roma Mkatoliki about his more than a decade long career as a hip hop activist.
Roma Mkatoliki has always been known for producing music that addresses social and political issues, beginning with his first single "Tanzania", which he released in 2007. The song was highlighted in the 2012 scholarly
HHAP Ep. 50: The Mixtape Episode P. 2
This episode is our second mixtape episode. The episode features the most recent works of 23 of Africa's fiercest lyricists. All of songs featured on this episode were released in 2018 and 2019, and features women from across Africa, and African women who reside in the Diaspora. Some of the artists are fairly well known to followers of African hip hop scenes, while others are more up & coming.
HHAP Ep. 49: Mikko, on Being a Hip Hop Journalist and Curator of The Planet’s Rap
In this episode we spoke with Mikko from Planet Earth Planet Rap. Mikko has years of knowledge & experience with hip hop culture and the music industry, and it was great to get his impressions of hip hop around the world, and where some of the strongest hip hop scenes are, and who some of the artists he listens to are. He has listened to hip hop music from artists in every corner of the globe,
HHAP Ep. 48: Elom 20ce on The Role of Hip Hop in the Struggle for Pan Africanism
Togolese hip hop artist Elom 20ce is a multitalented artist, activist, and Pan Africanist. He brings Pan African ideals to his music and his art, and this episode Elom discusses studying international politics and working with the United Nations, and how his studies and experiences influenced his music. After witnessing the hypocrisy around international development and politics, he felt compelled
HHAP Ep. 47: Lola Monroe, Representing Ethiopia in Mainstream American Hip Hop
Model, video vixen, MC, BET Awards nominee, & reality TV star: Lola Monroe is an Ethiopian artist who has found success in the mainstream music industry in the United States. Going by many names, including Queen Roe, Lola Monroe was born Born in Ethiopia & raised in Washington, DC. She started her career in entertainment as a model & “video vixen”, and later moved to music. In 2011, sh
HHAP Ep. 46: Rwandan-Canadian MC, Shad, on the Evolution of Hip Hop
Shad is a Kenyan born, Rwandan hip hop artist, who hails from in London, Ontario, in Canada. With an eclectic sound, that blends musical influences, and a unique lyrical style, Shad made a name for himself in the Canadian hip hop scene, winning a Juno in 2010 for his 3rd album, TSOL. In addition to being an MC, Shad also hosted three seasons of the hip hop documentary series, Hip Hop Evolution, wh
HHAP Ep. 45: Phlow, Navigating Hip Hop & Representation in Nigeria
In this episode of The Hip Hop African Podcast, we speak with Nigerian hip hop artist, Phlow. We talk about the impact of Afropop on hip hop culture in Nigeria, and the choices artists often make between hip hop and Afropop. Speaking of Afropop, we also discuss the possible opportunities for Nigerian hip hop in the wake of one of Nigeria’s fastest growing exports: pop music.
Phlow also talks ab
HHAP Ep. 44: From Gabon to the US: Ya Minko on his Experiences in American Hip Hop Culture
Gabonese artist Ya Minko came by campus for a conversation about his experiences in hip hop communities in Gabon and the United States. We had a long discussion on hip hop culture and the business of hip hop. Every artist has to decide how to market themselves, how to speak to their audience, and how to navigate the politics of the music industry.
Ya Minko spoke to us days before his presentati
HHAP Ep. 43: Hip Hop and Activism in Post-Apartheid South Africa, Part 2
This is part 2 of a 2 part conversation with hip hop scholar and University of Cape Town Professor Adam Haupt and hip hop artist Bradley Lodewyk (aka b-boy King Voue) from the group Brasse Vannie Kaap, or BVK. We met up at the University of Cape Town while they were working on their book project, Neva Again: Hip Hop Art, Activism, and Education in Post-Apartheid South Africa, and the EP In the Key
HHAP Ep. 42: Hip Hop and Activism in Post-Apartheid South Africa, Part 1
This is part 1 of a 2 part conversation with hip hop scholar and University of Cape Town Professor Adam Haupt and hip hop artist Bradley Lodewyk (aka b-boy King Voue) from the group Brasse Vannie Kaap, or BVK. We met up at the University of Cape Town while they were working on their book project, Neva Again: Hip Hop Art, Activism, and Education in Post-Apartheid South Africa, and the EP In the Key
HHAP Ep. 41: Teck-Zilla Talks Hip Hop, Str8buttah & Afropop Breakbeats
The DJ, producer, or beat maker is an important element in hip hop. The beat is the first thing we hear when a song starts, and it is the first clue that our favorite song is about to come on. Hip hop producers usually work with several artists, and some of the more well known producers have their signature styles. In Nigeria, one of those producers is Teck-Zilla, as well as other producers in the
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