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Verses of Youth Political Participation

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Rap Music and the Youth in Malawi

Part of the book series: Pop Music, Culture and Identity ((PMCI))

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Abstract

One of the key observations about rap music is how it has embodied a political voice for the youth. This is true of Africa as well, and of Malawi in particular. In this chapter, the aim is to examine the youth’s awareness of their political agency as articulated in several songs produced in the run-up to the 2019 tripartite elections in Malawi. The chapter has three parts, examining how the songs lament the vulnerability of the youth as they fall victim to political exploitation, how they illustrate partisan allegiance and appeal to the conscience of the politicians, and how they militate for youth agency through casting of the vote.

What public forum will there be for the political song?

—Chimombo and Chimombo (1996, 126)

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Notes

  1. 1.

    In Malawi, the example of Robert Chasowa is often cited as an indicator of how dangerous the terrain of politics can be for the youth. The young Chasowa was a student at the University of Malawi when he was found killed outside his hostel in 2011. An investigation into his death revealed that he had been murdered after becoming embroiled in shady deals with politicians. The politicians whose names were mentioned in relation to Chasowa’s death have never been brought to book.

  2. 2.

    John Chilembwe is one of the officially acknowledged heroes of Malawi. An African, he was assisted in getting education in the United States and became a pastor. Frustrated with the ill-treatment of his fellow Black people by white administrators, he led an ill-fated uprising against them in 1915. Although the uprising failed, it is recognised in Malawi’s history as one of the earliest attempts to strike back at colonial rule. Chilembwe’s face is featured on Malawi’s currency, specifically the 500- and 2000-Kwacha notes, and has a holiday named after him. For many of the youth, the name Chilembwe is therefore synonymous with money. However, Macelba’s song also subtly suggests a sense of betrayal associated with the failure of Malawi’s present leaders to realise Chilembwe’s dream of political and, significantly, economic independence among African people.

  3. 3.

    Nsima is the name of the staple meal in Malawi. It is prepared from maize flour. Nsima is so common in the country that, for most people, the term nsima is synonymous with food.

  4. 4.

    Sangie (real name Angel Mbekeani) is a Malawian female reggae artist. One of her famous songs is entitled “Ndangozizidwa” (I feel cold). In the song, she talks about how she feels upon losing loved ones. What Kyc Nyimbo is doing is therefore making an intertextual reference to another artist’s song, pinpointing the feeling of sadness one feels upon losing something, or someone, precious. The “ngati” in the verse is a common feature in Chichewa rap verses, often indicating the presence of a simile.

  5. 5.

    Shozie performed this song in 2016. Although his song is about the many ghettos that exist in Malawi, the video was filmed in Ndirande township. Four years later, in 2020, during campaign period, when Mutharika’s convoy drove through the township, it was promptly chased off when the residents pelted the vehicles with stones (Gunya 2020).

  6. 6.

    This song is further analysed in relation to representations of the ghetto in Malawian rap music in Chap. 6.

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  1. University of Malawi, Zomba, Malawi

    Ken Lipenga Jr.

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Correspondence to Ken Lipenga Jr. .

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Lipenga, K. (2023). Verses of Youth Political Participation. 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_4

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