RAPtivism

challenging oppression with expression worldwide

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Current Hip-Hop News Related to COVID-19

written by RAPtivism Intern Ashley Jones

COVID-19 corona virus has rapidly spread across the globe and is provoking social hiatus preventing people from physical contact with others. 

Hip-Hop artists such as Jojo, Tamia, Trippie Redd, and others have found ways to shed light in this dark time. Some artists have collectively decided to participate in social media challenges such as the #TylerPerrryChallenge where the singer posts a video of them singing “He Has the Whole World in His Hands.” Others have even gone as far as to making actual songs about the virus. 

Gmac Cash, a rapper from Detroit,  may have been one of the first to capitalize and go viral from the pandemic after releasing his song “Coronavirus.’ In the song, Cash raps about practicing social distancing and healthy ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19. He expresses the fact that he bought  supplies such as masks and gloves to prevent himself from catching the virus.

Jojo even had her two cents to share when she posted on Instagram a remake of her song “Leave (Get Out). The song was titled “Chill (Stay In)” to encourage her fans to practice social distancing. 

In the video she is in what seems to be her home and sings “...now that she's {CoronaVirus} here, boy all I want is for you to use common sense. Do it for humanity!” The song encourages  fans to be safe during the pandemic.

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Green Power: A Celebration of Greta Thunberg and the Global Climate Strikes

Written and performed by Aisha Fukushima / 

Design and animation by Imma Almourzaeva / 

© 2019 Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics North America

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I learned & journeyed a lot with this dynamic group of leaders at #impactexperience this past weekend in #Montgomery #Alabama. This visit to the @eji_org @legacymuseum was especially impactful. #raptivismtour #freedomsong #mayaangelou special s/o & thanks to @impact_experience @impactpreneur @jennanicholas1 📷@unleashedpro @shiralane (at The Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqdUdcjBWn5/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1m696lyfwkq2i

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#vote as if our lives depend on it... because they do! It’s not the *only way* to make a change, but it’s certainly an *important* way to make waves. I vote in solidarity with ancestors who fought for the right, for current generations of change makers & for the future generations who will reap the seeds of change that we sow today. See you at the polls, friends! #raptivism https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp2uyqGBoOP/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=8nzq7ir948kf

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DJ Ready D urges young artists to keep professionalism hand in hand with pleasure. You need to have fun but also show that you're serious! In his interview, [read more]

Discussion Questions:

1. Ready D emphasizes the professional preparation you need as an artist, whether it’s a good lawyer, a serious demeanor, or a clear goal. What is the boundary between creating art just for fun and making it your profession?

2. Ready D describes the act of creating art as “a lot of fun and pressure.” What do you think is the most fun thing about making art? What is the most stressful?

3. Ready D discusses several motivations for joining the music industry that wouldn’t work out. How do you express yourself creatively? If you do, what are your motivations and end goals?

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We at RAPtivism have an exciting new project to deliver to your doorstep! For the next few weeks, RAPTIVISTS SPEAK will offer a series of mini-interviews with world-renowned artists and activists such as John Legend, Black Milk, and Outlandish. These artists offer inspiration and advice on music, social justice, and following your dreams. [read more...]

We at RAPtivism have an exciting new project to deliver to your doorstep! For the next few weeks, RAPTIVISTS SPEAK will offer a series of mini-interviews with world-renowned artists and activists such as John Legend, Black Milk, and Outlandish. These artists offer inspiration and advice on music, social justice, and following your dreams. [read more...]

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Excited to announce that I’ll be heading back to the UK soon to collaborate with @lush @lushcosmetics! So many good things coming. Stay tuned! ✨ . . . #raptivismtour #tedxspeaker #lushie #raptivist #speaker #singer #educator #hiphoped #uk #england #manchester (at LUSH UK) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnjX4_SlfSb/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1sugnn1xu4uif

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Let your light shine.✨ . . . #paris #centregeorgespompidou #travelnoire #raptivism #mantra #artistdate #france #raptivism (at Centre Pompidou) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bm3pV6Gls0u/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=e9kwlubgnk13

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Thankful for this beautiful place to think, daydream & invite poetic flows. This summer has been such a powerful reminder to keep evolving & to dream big! . . . #raptivist #raptivism #raptivismtour #paris #coffeetime #effieltower #artistdate #travelnoire #muse (at Paris, France) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bm2dh_qlLWv/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=gee3xnhsuzq4

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Excited to announce that I’ll be traveling with this amazing team to #UZBEKISTAN this summer thanks to @next_level_usa! Can’t wait! Stay tuned for updates from a summer filled with travel, fun & #raptivism. Shout outs to these amazing artists I’m excited to build with @adum7x @djprincesscut @leanskee & our fearless leader @mahoganyjonz. Also thank you @usembassytashkent! . . . #raptivism #raptivismtour @meridianintl #hiphopdiplomacy @iah_unc @exchangeourworld (at Lincoln Memorial)

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Here we go! I’m so excited to see my lovely friends and family @ncoreconference in New Orleans this year! These pictures from past years just reminded me of what a wonderful hub it has been to share, catch-up and learn. I’m especially excited to perform at the talent showcase and to help collectively lead some sessions with @nikkitaoliver @gabrielteodros @sagesense @wongweezy @mitzi.uehara.c hcl & Mia C White. Stay tuned! . . . #raptivist #raptivism #raptivismtour #aishafukushima #tourlife #ncore2018 #ncore2016 #neworleans #singer #vocalist #concert #indiemusic #workshop #emergentstrategy (at New Orleans, Louisiana)

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Big thanks to Ren for creating this beautiful choreography to my song Missing You! So happy to have been included in the MUSE project! Also s/o to my musical fam @scottbergstrom @25thstreetrecording for helping create this song. (at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

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Thinking back on #RAPtivismTour last year in #Jerusalem, one of the things that struck me the most was the deep sense of meaning around home. This showed up even in murals that I saw with Palestinians wearing keys around their necks in hopes that they could return to the homes that they were forced from. This song, inspired by the voices that I heard while in the Holy Land, resonates especially now amidst the 70th anniversary of the Nakba and the US Embassy’s move to Jerusalem. Please listen, share, offer your feedback and help shift the framework about how we see these issues as they unfold. #freepalestine #raptivism #speakup #expandthenarrative s/o @ironjazzilla @cereal4thekids @janetzohar @tbhparkmusic @ldb10studios @mikemoore84 @samoricoles @onwurd @mrdaveyd @zentronix @kevchoice @damedrummer @bashar234 @uriahduffy @phillsphoto86 (at East Jerusalem)

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So excited to announce that my most recent TEDx video is now live! Please remember to like & share! Big thanks to @tedxbend❤️ . . . #tedx 🙌🏽 @moe_carrick #raptivism #raptivismtour #hiphop #vocallooping #rapping #feminist #raptivist #tedxbend

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With all that's happening in #Gaza and beyond, the world needs some serious healing. I hope that this song can help add some musical medicine for the journey ahead. For the full song check out my YouTube and soundcloud.com/raptivism . . . Big thanks to @ironjazzilla for your production skills, @cereal4thekids for your amazing editing, @janetzohar for your beautiful backing vocals & @tbhparkmusic for your magic touches. #palestine #jerusalem #holyland #holylandraptivism #raptivism #freedomsong #raptivismtour #activism #soundhealing #healingjustice @ifnotnoworg @ifnotnownyc @ifnotnowbayarea @ifnotnowla @ifnotnowchicago @sjpsfsu @nationalsjp @democracynow (at Gaza Strip)