Archive for the 'protest' Category

Let’s “understand” Black Metal

What is it with Black Metal? It reminds me of early punk when the goal was to be outrageous at any cost (remember the Christ crucified over a Swastika T-shirt?). But then people began to take it at face value and it became a whole lot less funny.
So is Black Metal an elaborate joke? Can [...]

Nu Groove alert: Plan B from London

In the first of an occasional series, we can’t help throwing a metaphorical coin into the cap of Plan B, a 21 year-old Londoner that stands up and raps (for want of a better word) about the world around him. “When people hear ‘Kids’ on radio, everything they’re scared of about the city is in [...]

French rap: “they should have listened”

The ongoing trouble in France was foreseen.That is the feeling amongst many rappers in the country. Already ten years ago, bands such as IAM and MC Solaar were sending out warning signals. More radical groups such as NTM were even brought to court for their confrontational style.And now, when it’s too late, the media are [...]

Former Salt’n’Pepa star speaks out against misogynist lyrics

Echoing a sentiment that has already been voiced many times across Africa, Cheryl “Saltâ€? James is joining other Hip-Hop celebrities in encouraging people to speak out against misogynist lyrics. Speaking at a college debate on Hip-Hop, she is reported by Associated Press as saying, “The microphone is very effective. Life and death is in the [...]

Burt Bacharach says it with words

{mosimage}He is the songwriter’s songwriter, the Earl of 60’s Cool, sophisticate incarnate. But until now, he has never written the words to his own songs. At the age of 77, Burt Bacharach is releasing an album featuring his own lyrics. And boy is he angry…

Chinese dissident charged for posting lyrics to punk song

Human rights groups have expressed concern about the upcoming trial of Zhang Lin, to be put on trial for subversion after posting essays and lyrics to a Chinese punk song. “The use of the words of a punk rock song to charge Zhang Lin with subversion shows the lengths to which the Chinese authorities [...]