The early 90's brought the fall of Apartheid, and a unique new music genre to South Africa. Black musicians in poor townships collided Western house music with African melodies, slowing it down and adding Mzansi spices along with traditional languages signified the birth of Kwaito. A prevalent theme is violence; but artists also promote issues like education, AIDS awareness and women's rights.
As Kwaito grew, so did the beliefs of young Africans who were given opportunities that forced segregation denied; it meant financial freedom.
Kwaito is not about race or politics, but everyday life in the post-apartheid South Africa. Kwaito is about the township, knowing the township, indulging the township, understanding the township and most importantly, wearing it on your sleeve. The township is being celebrated by the youth of South Africa through Kwaito music, which is interesting when one considers that the township was created to keep a ready supply of cheap labour under control by the Apartheid government.
No comments:
Post a Comment