Abstract
Language has always been one of the key areas of focus in discussions of rap music. This chapter has the intention of exploring the language used in Malawian rap music, not merely to show the blending of local languages with English, but to highlight the impact of this linguistic activity on the status of the artists and, consequently, on their situation of waithood. The chapter locates the language used in Malawian rap music as drawing from Global Hip Hop Nation Language (GHHNL), but also formed among the youth as an African Urban Youth Language (AUYL). The hypothesis is that linguistic versatility, as it is expressed in the music, provides a passport up the ranks of social status and may also translate into economic gain. The chapter presents the three key trends in Malawian rap, and also highlights various other linguistic features that determine how rappers are evaluated. The discussion features some extracts from rap songs in order to illustrate the use of language by the rappers.
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Notes
- 1.
Alim argues that sometimes, rappers can also impress while rapping off-beat (2006, 96).
- 2.
Chinsapo is a high-density township in Lilongwe, whereas Area 15 is a low-density location associated with affluence.
- 3.
ChuxTipat$ePlan is among the most sought-after rap music producers in Malawi.
- 4.
I discuss this at length in Chap. 6.
- 5.
I discuss this at length in Chap. 7.
- 6.
Msia Kibona Clark cites Jesse Shipley as noting that the Ghanaian hip-hop community is among those that often use proverbs in their social commentary (2018, 43).
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Lipenga, K. (2023). The Language of Malawian Rap. In: Rap Music and the Youth in Malawi. Pop Music, Culture and Identity. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-15251-1_3
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