Kaela

#MCST3300

[ks2799]

Intro: Karanga, rangatahi, whakarongo, whakarongo We're nga tamatoa, so we must light te ahi Don't get led astray by Babylon, kia mau ki to Maori [Verse 1] There's a lot of people who think they're tough today But chiefs like Te Rauparaha woulda blown dem away, Cher! Hone Heke he expressed his disgust by Cutting down the flagpole, huh Pakeha killed Maori inna Matawhero So Te Kooti exacted it in a slaughter Yes, the Maori battalion inna World War Two Staunch on the battlefield they had many clues Like Moana Ngarimu on hill 209, Victoria Cross so true so strong Yes the Maori was a bad warrior Strike fear in the hearts of the Babylon soldier Yeah its true, yeah its true, that's why I'm talking to you Kia kaha, kia kaha two one two two [Chorus:] E Tu Stand Proud Kia Kaha Say It Loud

[Verse 2:] The man who tried to kill him was Von Tempsky But he became a victim of his own folly Cause Titokowaru was too smart you see Guerilla warfare, huh, Maori The British raided a Pa they thought it'd be a victory But Kawiti fooled the enemy The British raided the Pa yeah but they got shot down Cause Kawiti had a plan and it was sound, break down Te Rangihaeata believes in holding land Against the foe, yo, the British man To him land's essential to the mana of the chief And in the Hutt there were some hardcore feats In 1846 in the Hutt Valley I said Fighting broke out between the British and the Maori And more than one settler on disputed land Was killed when the Maori fought the British Plan Cause white rule and injustice go hand in hand So against that is where we stand Don't forget those who've fought before Our struggle continues more and more Yeah it's a struggle, it's a struggle The system's got us in a muddle So strive to get outta this puddle  

[ks2799]

The Bay Area is known for the great Hip-Hop artist it produces but coming from the bay an American Hip-Hop duo The Conscious Daughters. Consisting of Carla "CMG" Green and Karryl "Special One" Smith the Conscious Daughters created their own voice to rival the “Men of the Bay”. From slipping their tape to Paris in a club and getting signed on Scarface record label the conscious daughters made something to ride to (Fonky Expedition). Creating an anthem to blast in your car, while cruising.

To me their sound can be described as hard-core, in your face female power type music. They have songs about being a women, anger, sex and men. Despite being women, they fit into the category set only for men with their vulgar language and baggy clothing. In my opinion they are underrated and completely overlooked for the impact that they have had on women in the Hip-Hop industry.  

In the Netflix show evolution of hip-hop they mention Conscious Daughters briefly but not enough. I personally have never heard of Conscious Daughters until recently and listening to a few of their songs I found their music to be relatable in many ways. I personally recommend others to listen to them.  

RIP “Special One” who passed in 2011.

[ks2799]

Blog Post

Question #2: How is “representing” related to the construction of one’s subjective identity in Hip Hop?

Hip-Hop music has always and will forever be about representing who you are, what you stand for, and the people you are representing. In the 90’s artist like N.W.A made music about the struggle of being a Black man and the discrimination done against them by white supremacist. They infused all their anger and frustration into their work. Their music was about Compton and how hard life was for them. Take Fuck the Police for example, in the film Straight Outta Compton it shows N.W.A being harassed by the police on their way into the studio. The interaction gives birth to the song Fuck the Police causing N.W.A more issues later. My point is that their voice, was perceived to be aggressive and harsher in a way that made people living the same life to feel that anger feel that frustration. They were pissed about how they were living and the way they were treated, and it shows.

In the article “Representing” by Murray Forman he talks about the identity of artist and how their environments helped mold their voice. “Artists mainly operate within a discursive field featuring specialized themes of intense locality.” I believe what he is saying is that artists use what is happening around them as a theme in their music. If they are living a hard life, they are not going to make songs about how easy life is but about how hard it is and how they are going to live when the “make it”.

We know N.W.A is from Compton, CA. It is their “hood” who they identify as. Kendrick Lamar is also from Compton although he doesn’t “represent” just Compton he represents more. He has so much more to his identity that it is often hard to understand exactly who he is. He has impacted this generation with his music in a way that most Hip-Hop artist have never even thought of. His voice has influenced the black community in remarkable ways. The song “Alright” I feel best compares to N.W. A’S, “Fuck the Police”. He is talking about the same issues that they had then that we deal with know. The difference between them is his tone of voice. He is giving people hope, taking their anger and calming them down. Showing people that there is light at the end of the tunnel, that they will make it. He uses his voice to encourage success and happiness to people who don’t believe they can be happy or successful. He represents his people from everywhere and influences them to do better.  

In conclusion with comparing these artists, I have shown how their identity is not just about who they represent but what they are saying in their art. Both “rep” Compton in their own way but their identities are far from the same. Yes, representing is related to the construction of their identity but it does not make their identity. Their art and what they do with it does.

LISTEN...

[ks2799]

My favorite TLC Bop!!

"I need it in the morning, in the middle of the night."

#MCST3300

[lisa-lopestlc]

[ks2799]

TLC THURSDAY!

[todayinhiphophistory]

Today in Hip Hop History:

DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince released their debut album Rock The House March 19, 1987

[gmarshall23-blog]

Blog Post #1: History of Hip Hop Dance

As hip-hop culture began to make its move in society, it sprouted out dances to go along with it. Jorge “Popmaster Fabel” Pabon, an early innovator to hip-hop dance, writes that a majority of hip-hop dance came not only from New York City but from the west coast as well. As New York developed a majority of hip-hop dances, the West Coast originated dances like popping and locking. Although all these dances were grouped together as “breakdancing”, thus overlooking the West Coast’s “funk” culture movement. As these dances started to become more popular, you begin to see them commercialized. You may not see them in a theatrical setting, however, it would appear in music videos and films for a few seconds. Not being able to catch the full potential of the dance. As well, there is a loss of spontaneous performance when hip-hop dance becomes commercialized. By that I mean, that dances used to be improvised and free formed. Whereas you get into a staged setting and things begin to be choreographed and boundaries are set into place to give the best view to the audience at all times. The best way to understand these dances and movements are from those who practice and innovate them.

[ks2799]

Fire Fighters or Fire Starters? 🤷🏾‍♀️🙌🏽😎

#MCST3300 #tlcthursday #slayallday #tlc

[lisa-lopestlc]

Lisa and Lil’ Kim at the MTV Video Music Awards In 1997

[ks2799]

1st Official TLC TUESDAY!