Opinion : THE RAP KREYOL MOVEMENT
By Da Truth!
Is it really a movement? Or is it a music genre that different ‘clicks’ are trying to make a living off of by using their respective agendas?According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a movement can be defined as: "an organized effort to promote or attain an objective". For years now, many have been referring to Rap Kreyol (Hip Hop Kreyol, Creole Hip Hop) as a movement. Nowadays one can hear slogans such as "Rap Kreyol, it’s more than music, it’s a movement", "Rap Kreyol for life", and many others. A question that keeps arising in my mind is the following: can we honestly say that Rap Kreyol is really a movement? It’s taken a lot of research yet it is still very difficult to come up with an honest answer.
Let’s go back to the definition of the word "movement" and analyze it for a bit. A movement is an organized effort to promote or an attain objective. Therefore, one can define the Rap Kreyol Movement as an organized effort to promote Rap Kreyol and take it to the international level. However, can one honestly say that there exists an organized effort for Rap Kreyol, when there are several clans and zones in one so-called "movement?" Nowadays, we have so many colors of bandannas representing a particular rap group or a particular area in Haiti. It gets to the point where if a promoter is doing a show, if he/she has a red bandanna group therefore he/she cannot have a black bandanna group in the same line up. First of all, they will not accept to play with each other. Second of all, if they do play in the same show, more than likely you will see a fight among the artists. Now somebody explains this to the author, how is that an organized effort? It looks more like a divided bunch of individuals who have no idea what it means to be united under one umbrella to push something to the next level. The worst part of this scenario is that some Rap Kreyol promoters have "beef" with certain groups or artists. Those so-called "promoters of the movement" will not promote a group that is not from their area or did not give them a little change to promote their songs. Some of those so-called “promoters of the movement” have radio shows and they only play groups from their respective zones. Even some of the websites are keen on pushing certain groups and have excluded an array of artists based on their regions, managers, or characters. Now tell me, how is that an organized effort to promote Rap Kreyol as a whole? It would be appreciated if somebody can honestly answer those questions.
Rap Kreyol will not be a movement until all parties involved find it in their hearts to collaborate with each other; and I am talking to the promoters, writers, artists, record labels, websites, etc. If only one could respect the word "movement" based Merriam-Webster’s definition then one will clearly realize that it is incorrect to call Rap Kreyol a movement; unless of course that individual is living on another planet. Based on the definition, it is quite simple for Rap Kreyol to become a movement. All it needs’ a collaborative effort from those who are willing and determined enough to see through the next level. Now that was very easy to write, but will it happen? That remains to be seen.
Stay tune for more!
Libellés : Opinion