By: Nia Nelson (’19), Starr Writer
Hip-hop has significantly grown past its roots in the streets of New York. Today, it is the most popular genre of music in the United States and it is starting to make it to mainstream outlets internationally. However, with this breakthrough comes backlash from the communities within countries and more importantly, the government.
Recently China has banned all “vulgar” aspects of hip hop culture, as well as artists with tattoos from its mainstream media. The country’s media regulator, the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film, and Television of the People’s Republic of China (SAPPRFT) no longer allows the media to display any of what they call “dispirited culture,” according to Time Magazine. Rappers like PG One and Mr. Trouble have influenced the growing influence of Hip hop culture in China. These artists along with the internet based competition show “The Rap of China”, are responsible for much of the recent growth of the genre’s popularity. As hip-hop starts to integrate more into mainstream media, so do the ideologies and topics of the music being created. Although China lacks the layer of racial tension within their country that is present in the US, Chinese rappers rap about the economic and political injustices that occur within their own country, consistent with the intention of the creation of hip-hop, resulting in criticism and censorship from the government. Artists say that the government is seeking to filter content that isn’t consistent with the Communist Party values or that conflicts with party morals.
The current climate in China is similar to what happened when hip hop made its way into the white mainstream media in the late 99’s and early 2000’s here in the US. Much like how the Communist regime in China feels that the morals of hip hop are not consistent with their own, the US government felt as if hip hop was “anti-American” because officials felt attacked by the artists and their songs. The subject matter of songs created by Chinese rappers is similar to how US rappers touch on popular topics such as racial injustice, police brutality, and the War on Drugs. In addition to this, many artists speak about their personal struggles with change, growing up, heartbreak, and other subjects that US rap artists cover as well.
What does this mean for hip hop culture in general? If countries attempt to censor the music, it delegitimizes the genre, limits exposure, and downplays its cultural and political impact. This is also detrimental to black culture as well, considering that hip hop is rooted in black culture and is a huge representation of that culture to the mainstream media.
The continued demonization of hip hop will negatively impact artists as well. Due to the ban in mainstream Chinese media, many sponsors have pulled their financial support of artists and programs. Along with the lack of funding, these bans limit the creativity of these artists, censor their freedom of expression, and force them back into the underground music scene.
Despite the ban, creators will still create. Chinese rappers vow to keep working on their craft and spreading it to audiences. Hip hop is more widely accepted in the US now than it was at its inception, so with the determination and persistence of Chinese hip-hop creatives, the genre can hopefully become accepted by the masses and the government.
