Cuban Hip-Hop Video(blog?)
A gem from Havana Journal (by way of google videoblogs).
This is a really cool little 5 minute documentary on the development of the burgeoning Cuban hip-hop scene - and its prominent US supporters.
This is a really cool little 5 minute documentary on the development of the burgeoning Cuban hip-hop scene - and its prominent US supporters.
posted by leftside at
11:03 PM
4 Comments:
There is a lot of truth in this documentary and I look forward to young people, especially the hip-hop enthusiasts, getting an opportunity to see and hear voices of the cuban people unfiltered. Whereas, these same people profiled are forbidden from expressing some of these thoughts in their own Cuban media.
One of the rappers profiled says:
"In fact, censorship exists, but I don't think about not writing a song because there is censorship. I write a song. If it can be played on the radio, fine. If not..."
Can you explain to your readers, Matthew, why the dictatorship censors? ...why does the revolution require censorship of hip-hop artists? ...why do they require the artists to be registered to one organization?
Hip-hop artists here in the U.S. would never agree to such authoritarian measures. Thanks for helping to get the word out, Matthew.
Just because some Cuban rapper feels there is censorship doesn't make the issue so clear cut. Some songs may not get play, but who can say that is because of censorship? I happen to know for a fact that many of those in the clip actually receive assistance from the Government in the way of equipment, studio time, concerts, festivals, ect. No rappers have been harrassed by the authorities. None arrested. Tell me what US urban artist can say they've actually been helped by the US Government?
Plus we are no stranger to banning hip-hop here. Remember 2 Live Crew's album? Or the FBI threatening artistsfor their lyrics (NWA), or artists getting called out by Presidential candidates for political gain (Clinton and Sista Souljah). Or artists being banned by private radio (MC Breeze), or getting fined and forbidden from public radio (Sarah Jones). Just last week the Las Vegas Sherrif threatened banning all hip-hop from banned from Los Vegas Casinos. Already cities have banned rap concerts alltogether. In France 200 conservative legislators call for prosecuting rap artists for the riots there. The US and Uk have banned Buju Banton from the country for his lyrics....
When is the last time you've heard a song that criticized America or capitalism on the radio in the US? It doesn't happen. Just because we don't call it censorship when corporatins censor doesn't mean it is any different.
Plenty of healthy criticism and reflection on Cuba's state of affairs is aired on Cuban media. If you don't believe that you aren't paying attention to the films and music coming out of Cuba like I am. These Cuban hip-hop artists' albums, a few of which I obtained in Cuba, contain a gamut of opinion - but are distinctive for their faith and trust in the revolution adn socially conscious lyrics, which criticize world affairs far more than Cuban affairs - though riffs on Cuban police behavior and the like is common fare.
But why wouldn't one expect the Cuban people's radio stations to aim for content that is culturally and socially redeeming? Why should the State promote something that had no value? Just as I wish our radio stations would try to take content into consideration, it is absurd for them not to.
If you want to understand things in black and white, Cuba bans music and we do not, that is your perogative. But it vastly distorts the issue.
"I happen to know for a fact that many of those in the clip actually receive assistance from the Government in the way of equipment, studio time, concerts, festivals, ect. No rappers have been harrassed by the authorities."
That's because the rapper works for the government. If a rapper were independent, and didn't sign with the government, his or her work is banned.
"When is the last time you've heard a song that criticized America or capitalism on the radio in the US? "
Every day. System of a Down? Rage Against the Machine? and so on...
These folks are not signed by the Government JScott. Most are independent. Anyone is allowed to use the recording studio the Government put together, just for rappers. They create and burn CDs on their own and sell them at shows. I have a couple that I bought directly from them, they are hand made.
Funny you mention Rage and System, they prove my point. Don't you remember after 9/11 Rage was totally banned from Clear Channel (which owns nearly all relevant pop radio). Also, System's single at the time, "Chop Suey!," was banned from ALL radio airplay becasue it mentioned suicide!
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