by Mandy de Waal. If you’re marketing to GenZ, you’ve gotta know your rap from your hip-hop and Tseliso Monaheng is the guy to tell you.
Tag archives: hip hop
Africa Style: Encouraging individualism sells many cans of soda
by Masingita Mazibuko. ‘Just when you think you know hip hop, it surprises you and reminds you why you fell in love with it in the first place’ is a line from one of my all-time favourite movies, Brown Sugar, from the early 2000s.
And not because of Taye Diggs, but rather it takes me back to my younger days, and the likes of Chronic and NWA by way of the influence of younger brother and friends.
It took me back to the heart and soul of hip hop. Now I was never what you would call a ‘Hip Hop Head’, but the words that were uttered by emcees and unexpected accompanying beats seems to evoke and draw me in.
What is it about hip hop? Is it a sense of pride about what it is about and who it is targeting? That sense of clarity that taps into commonalities and sharpness in being in tune with the social environment that evokes emotions?
Hip hop has managed to transverse the boundaries of origins in the US and appeal to many across the globe, without compromising its essence, evoking shared desire in many, pulling them into its world. It is through this power of focus that ensures that it never dies and continues to rear its head.
Shift to present day, and hip hop is rearing its head again in an unexpected way via a brand, Sprite.
Ad of the Week with Oresti Patricios – hip hop hooray
The origins of hip-hop culture date back to the urban minorities of 1970s USA, when ‘battles’ were introduced as a way of settling neighbourhood scores. Instead of having a gang fight, two crews would face off and compete, either in breakdance, rap, ‘turntablism’ or even graffiti.
Probably most exciting were the breakdance ‘battles’ where different crews would face off and take turns in showing off their breakdance moves. The tradition continues today and can be experienced at hip-hop events, even here in South Africa – mainly in Cape Town, but also in other cities.
DStv’s promotional ads have a history of humour, and of using cultural genres to make a point about the brand and the strength of its content, and the latest ad which features a gangland type face off is no different.
Chew on pop and design culture at Toffie
The Toffie Pop Culture Festival and Design Conference is back in Cape Town for its second year and promises to give delegates lots to chew on (ok, that was cheap – like the tickets!). The festival/conference hybrid, which takes place at the truly lovely grand dame of Cape Town, the City Hall, Thursday 24 March – Saturday 26 March 2011, offers a mix of workshops, speakers, curated exhibitions, films, boxing matches and parties.