HipHop and Tradition a Film by Yaw Asare

This documentary by Howard PhD student Yaw Asare uses a comparative study to examine how hip-hop has been a vessel for Black consciousness seeking “to infuse the black community with a newfound pride in themselves, their efforts, their value systems, their culture, their religion and their outlook to life” (Biko, 1987: p. 49). The documentary undertakes this mission by inviting two rappers Pure Akan and Elom 20ce based in Ghana and Togo respectively highlighting their sophomore albums Nyame Mma and Amewuga highlighting their artistry to show how the rappers through their aforementioned mentioned albums engage with Black consciousness. Moreover, both rappers’ inclusiveness of children and a heavy reliance on traditional Afrikan rhythms and instruments in the production of their recent projects are further highlighted.