Hip-Hop in Africa by Msia Kibona Clark

Author:Msia Kibona Clark [Clark, Msia Kibona]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ohio University Press
Published: 2018-05-01T04:00:00+00:00

5

“Make You No Forget”

Representations of African Migrant Experiences in African Hip-hop

TWO SONGS SPEAK to the relationship between Africa and its migrants: “Dear Africa” by Blitz the Ambassador, of Ghana, and “Dearest Child” by Kimba Mutanda, of Malawi. “Dear Africa” is a letter to Africa from a child who left home years ago. “Dearest Child” is a letter from Malawi to the children who left home years ago. Both songs are more spoken-word pieces than hip-hop rhymes. They both depict the continued ties to home, the economic conditions that cause many migrants to flee, the stress of life in the West, and the idea of return. In “Dear Africa,” Blitz says,

Dear Africa, it’s just me, your son. I pray this letter finds you better, I hope you’re doing fine. I can’t believe that ten years have gone by since I last packed my bags, got a cab and said “bye.” Only can imagine the feeling watching your kids go. Must have been heartbreaking, where did the years go? But you’d be proud to know I never stopped reppin’ you, every show, every track, every last interview.

In “Dearest Child,” Kimba Mutanda writes as his country, Malawi:

Dearest Child, I decided it’s better if wrote this letter in English, because some of you were pretty young when you left and you might not remember your mother tongue . . . a lot of your cousins and friends have jumped on planes to chase dreams that they’ve seen on DStv screens. It makes no sense to me. They say they’ve lost faith in your uncle Chilembwe’s pocket money and would rather get cash that’s green, or be paid by a woman they call Queen. Her name’s familiar . . . we might have met before. But I think the last time I saw her was in 1964. . . . Dearest child, I’m gonna post this to your last known address. I hope the stress of living illegally in a foreign place hasn’t prematurely wrinkled your face . . . I miss you. But don’t let my emotion be a weight on your spirit. These words should be like a sad song that makes you feel warm and confident when you hear it. Remember, my main concern is that you’re happy. From the bottom of my warm heart, yours eternally, your mother, Malawi.

These songs articulate the ties between migrant and home. They address the economic conditions that led to migration, the stress of long periods of separation and of the idea of return. The relationship between migrant and home is the central theme of these songs, and of this chapter. This chapter examines the role of migration in African hip-hop, and argues that African migrant hip-hop artists in the United States present representations of African migrant experiences, ties to home, and shifting transnational identities. African emcees who migrated to the United States present their own representations that differ from African artists who have only lived at home, or from African American artists who have lived only in the United States.

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