Entertainment NewsSociety

Hip hop goes vernacular

Gwamba one of Hip hop artists playing vernacular lyrics
Gwamba one of Hip hop artists playing vernacular lyrics

There was a time when the use of lyrics in English in Malawi became synonymous with Hip Hop such that every wanna-be musician displayed it during free-style talent contests dubbed ‘Rap and Ragga’ competitions. A rapper rhyming in English was considered good while those rapping in Chichewa were considered underdogs or not having enough game.

But Chichewa lyrics gradually found their way into local Hip Hop or rap at the time most artists were inspired by American artists such as Mc Hammer, Vanilla Ice and Kris Kross and others. But it was the likes of Boyz Lazy, Criminal A and their contemporaries who played a great role in popularising the foreign genre with their vernacular renditions.

The Young Kays and Tay Grins of this world shifted another gear in making the music likeable to the local populace. Late entrants such as Real Elements have arguably taken Malawian Hip Hop to another level.

The entry of the group was not without challenges with their style almost lacking the Malawian touch. But who would blame the group of artists based in the United States of America? Their albums were predominantly full of lyrics done in English.

But with time, Malawian Hip Hop has gained a unique character such that people have slowly found a way of weaving vernacular in the rap.

It has been a great journey to recognition starting from the late 1990s and the break of the second millennium which was characterised by a struggling urban music not only in search of identity, but rather in their quest for a broader fan-base.

The emergence of artists such as Annie Matumbi, Vic Marley, Nameless, Basement, Aphofomoka and Likoma Island saw Malawian Hip hop slowly gaining a new identity and acceptance from a new group of the audience.

Could the use of vernacular have contributed in the latest local Hip Hop frenzy?

Producer Propee (real name Percy Manyozo) says the use of vernacular in lyrics is directly responsible to the increased popularity of the genre.

“We are Malawians, Chichewa is a language that we can easily understand each other without asking question and it communicates a genuine emotion when one is singing.

“Emotions are easily translated when a song is done in a language one is used to, which means Chichewa is building a much better industry than before,” says Propee.

He adds that most people who used to enjoy the Malawian Hip Hop done in English did not really understand what was being propagated in the songs; hence using vernacular has given Malawian artists a chance to be heard and their audience to have a feel of their content.

“Look at South Africa and their industry; most musicians who are well-to-do in the industry do not use English for example HHP is one of them,” says Propee.

Musicians Union of Malawi Awards best Hip Hop artist Gwamba says Malawian artists wanted to be relevant through their music, hence they resorted to using a language most local people understand.

“It’s very simple and straight forward. As an artist you have to choose, do you want to be heard by all Malawians or 20 percent of Malawians? For example, I rap in Chichewa, and am heard by all Malawians,” argues the Ndiima Pachulu hit-maker.

Fredokiss (real name Penjani Fredo Kalua) of the Kunditcha Fredo fame says the aim of using vernacular in hip hop is to give local identity to a genre which has a lot of foreign elements.

“Our local languages, mainly Chichewa, have been elements that have helped categorise and differentiate our urban music from international songs that belong to similar genres. It has also helped us grow in a way by moving away from parroting to now communicating in our local language,” he says.

Fredokiss argues that musicians are forced to make sense and at the same time be creative. He adds that the use of local languages has also helped artists to be reactional in their compositions and above all it has helped us to be relevant.

“Music like any type of art is responsive. So, when you don’t find the response that you desire, you always find ways to get it. That is exactly what Hip hop artists have done—they have responded to their audience,” says Fredokiss.

Related Articles

One Comment

  1. this is not a strange thing,the likes of Anni Matumbi sung in vernacular in 90’s, so you are just following suit

Back to top button