[en] This article attempts to provide an intelligibility of the cameroonian rap from a
double reading: on the one hand, by questioning its historicity, that is, its emergence
and its roots in the arts and culture; on the other hand, by following the rappers
themselves and part of the media criticism in their analysis of rap. This reflection
reveals two facts: first, a strong competitive tendering rap on its arrival in Cameroon
space by other musical styles. This competition was strong even regarding the expected
dimension of critical engagement as an identifying feature of rap, forcing it to
legitimize while seeking an identity. Then the Cameroonian rappers face a double
process; one from a media opinion suspecting their dealings with the authorities in
power viewed as corrupt; the other by the authorities cautious vis-à-vis the critical
discourse in public space
Disciplines :
Social & behavioral sciences, psychology: Multidisciplinary, general & others
Author, co-author :
Manga Lebongo, Jean Marcellin ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences sociales > Labo d'anthropologie sociale et culturelle (LASC)
Language :
French
Title :
« Devenir rappeur engagé » : l’émergence controversée du rap dans l’espace public camerounais
Alternative titles :
[en] «Becoming activist rapper». The Controversial Emergence of Rap in the Cameroonian Public Space
