Ivelisse Sanchez March 25, 2005 Speech Article: Lidet Tilahun

Lidet Tilahun, Director of Strategy for the African AIDS Initiative International and Programming Director of World Hip Hop at the Hip Hop Archive at Stanford University, discussed hip hop and its influence on African youth culture yesterday [Thurs. March 24] at Snell Library. Tilahun has been researching hip hop and African youth culture for five years. She believes hip hop has become a powerful medium for the youth of Africa, empowering them and giving them a voice. Tilahun describes the power of African hip hop artists to build a bridge between generational gaps and to help their audiences embrace their cultures. She says, “Hip hop is all about keeping it real and that is what the African artists are doing. How can they keep it real if they are rapping in English or French? They rap in their native languages, which helps the youth embrace their own cultures and because of this the older generations are also embracing the music.” African hip hop artists do not rap about the Western ideals of cars, money and women. They rap about poverty, AIDS and government corruption; however, she adds that hip hop artists are not always safe. She says, “Because of the controversial issues that these artists embrace, some governments view hip hop as a threat to their regimes. Some countries have even enacted bans on hip hop and some artists are murdered and no one knows why.” During the speech Tilahun took several opportunities to read the lyrics of African rap songs, each containing powerful messages of unity, education, and AIDS prevention. She states that it is clear why the African youth is so inspired. These artists are people who have come from nothing just like them. Hip hop has made the youth “more visible, more powerful because it has given them a voice… It’s not just musical entertainment, it’s empowerment.” Even the U.S. Embassy in Africa has sponsored hip hop artists to tour the country and rap about AIDS and prevention. Hip hop has become a powerful tool of motivation and a medium for the youth to express their woes and problems in a peaceful and effective way. Every year there is The African Hip Hop Event which features rap artists from all over Africa. These artists come together and share their lyrical abilities. Although they may not always understand each other, the beats themselves keep the audience entertained. Tilahun states, “When the different nations come together they are exposing their individual languages, cultures, and customs to one another… hip hop is bringing the youth together.” This event was sponsored by the Northeastern University Hip-Hop Studies Collective whose mission is to make people aware of hip hop and all it has to offer the world. There were several people in attendance from all nationalities and backgrounds proving what Tilahun believes, “Hip hop is a universal language. It exists all around the world.” Professors Geoff Ward and Murray Forman intend to sponsor several upcoming events that will explore the evolution hip hop in various ethnic groups. Ivelisse Sanchez Freshman 09′ [email protected]