The Role of Hip Hop Music in Tanzania

Shani Omari, University of Dar es Salaam, will discuss hip hop in Tanzania and its impact on society.

Tuesday, May 16, 2006
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Room 10383, Bunche Hall
UCLA campus
Los Angeles, CA 90095

Come and listen to Tanzanian hip hop!

In Tanzania, the history of rap music dates from the late 1980s and the early 1990s.  At the outset, Tanzanian society considered it to be hooliganism rather than an art form.  Today, it represents the interests of individuals, communities, government, and so forth. Prior to hip hop, Tanzanian youth had little knowledge of music, no access to the music industry and no formal employment.  Tanzanian hip hop music has become not only the voice of those youth, but also the voice of the larger society. Due to the copious existence of rap music in Tanzania, it is worth examining its role.  This presentation, therefore, discusses the role of hip hop in Tanzania.

Shani Omari works in the Institute of Kiswahili Research at the University of Dar es salaam.  She received her MA and BA from the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

For more information please contact:

James S. ColemanAfrican Studies Center

africa@international.ulca.edu

www.international.ucla.edu/africa

Sponsor(s): African Studies Center