Asian Dub Foundation - Rebel Warrior - 1995
Analysis :
kids - > representing the future generations
running freedom
south asian instrumentals/ back up vocals
all ethnicities and genders
"100 years of rependence"
Lyrics : "I'll be sowing the seeds of community,Accomodating every colour every need"
"Yes the unity of the Hindu and the Muslim will end your tyranny"
song is based on politically and metaphorically called for Indians to oppose British colonialism removing the imitation of British ideals and ideas from the country and returning to more traditional ways
"Yes the unity of the Hindu and the Muslim will end your tyranny"
song is based on politically and metaphorically called for Indians to oppose British colonialism removing the imitation of British ideals and ideas from the country and returning to more traditional ways
(*) How society and the issue you are investigating has changed over the years and how these changes are reflected in different media texts, or - to put it another way...
There is now more equality for ethnic minorities as society has no become more inclusive and as a multi-cultural society;
There is now more equality for ethnic minorities as society has no become more inclusive and as a multi-cultural society;
The song discusses the racial violence and inequality in their British communities which has now changed and developed overtime. However it can be said that British communities still stick to their 'kind' and ethnicities rather than integrating with different communities, perhaps there still underlying signs of racism in some areas due to the post colonial attiudes of immigration.
Their lyrics in the song call for radical political harmony , as they use their music as an organizing tool for cultural politics, endorsing righteousness, social change, and an end to what they perceive as oppression in the UK.... again reinforcing the post colonial and recial attitudes at the time in the UK
The song also pursues the issue of the politicisation of the category "Asian," and asserting the legitimacy of having an Asian identity in the hip-hop world. They redefine the "Asian" category by reconnecting it with an anti-colonial history, as well a current, existing anti-racist struggle.
The Asian dub foundation did this by trying to disruption in the racial/ethnic boundaries of hip hop and break the sterotypical 'black' ethnicity being the only minority to be bound to hiphop
This shows the issue of Asians trying to be recognised in the hip hop world/ music industry which currently is a struggle with the lack of British Asians in the mainstream music industry and can be reconeccted with the struggles of the 90's and the historical colonial attitudes.
The attempt to join different minorities and overcome the racist inequalities of the 90's is also highlighted in the text, which can be seen to have changed in the current 21's century as minorties not only join as one but also work together, marry together and etc .
The song also pursues the issue of the politicisation of the category "Asian," and asserting the legitimacy of having an Asian identity in the hip-hop world. They redefine the "Asian" category by reconnecting it with an anti-colonial history, as well a current, existing anti-racist struggle.
The Asian dub foundation did this by trying to disruption in the racial/ethnic boundaries of hip hop and break the sterotypical 'black' ethnicity being the only minority to be bound to hiphop
This shows the issue of Asians trying to be recognised in the hip hop world/ music industry which currently is a struggle with the lack of British Asians in the mainstream music industry and can be reconeccted with the struggles of the 90's and the historical colonial attitudes.
The attempt to join different minorities and overcome the racist inequalities of the 90's is also highlighted in the text, which can be seen to have changed in the current 21's century as minorties not only join as one but also work together, marry together and etc .
(*)How popular culture reflects the 'spirit of the age' or zeitgeist
At the time the popular culture, mood / 'spitit of the age' was about :
British anti-racism campaigns
British anti-racism campaigns
Political harmony
Equality for the minorities
Social change
Breaking boundries of music etc
Uniting all ethnicities and communities
(*)How is it similar/different to your main text?
It is simmilar in the way that it show that asians are now emerging or at most trying to emerge into the hip hop genre and now music is mixing and combining together. This emphasises that now boundaries are being broken as seen by Jay Sean who has now broke the boundries of mainstream hiphop artists mainly being of a'black' ethnicity as he has now broken into the American mainstream hip hop music industry. Perhaps Jay Sean has finnaly achieved somethign tha the Asian Dub Foundation was trying to achieve in the 1990's.
However both texts are different by the zeitgeist of the time thatboth texts are established in. Asian Dub Foundation reflected the time of inequality and racial stuggles while jay sean now represents the youth and embracement of pluralism and cultural diversity within the music industry.
(*)How does this show how the genre/society/issue has changed?
This shows how now music genres are more free and .....................
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Asian Dub Foundation : Research :
In their song, "Strong Culture", they assert their authenticity as legitimate Asian hip-hop artists, contrary to other popular claims.The line from the song, "I'm not a Black man / This time it's an Asian." likens back to when Asians were considered "Black" by some in the United Kingdom (UK) and often were part of that musical scene as Asian music had not fully emerged yet.
Some more lyrics from 'Strong Culture' =
Some fear the white man
Some fear the ku klux klan
Emphasising the historical context of their music and their message.
Chandrasonic is a founder member of the Asian Dub Foundation (ADF) and has been fighting injustice through music for over a decade. He believes artists like him need to be vocal and heard by the masses.
Despite being one of the most politically aware bands around, Asian Dub Foundation are not a political band, says Steve 'Chandrasonic' Savale
ADF talk not only about racism and the experience of Asians in Britain, but are concerned with wider issues of social justice. Their outlook is informed by their continued involvement with campaigning and educational groups. Their music is also intended to encourage peoples' own creativity.
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the song is significance to the Indian independence movement and because of its place in Indian traditional culture and its powerful and unifying lyrics.
The poem which the song is based on politically and metaphorically called for Indians to oppose British colonialism,by physically taking the government back and by removing the imitation of British ideals and ideas from the country and returning to more traditional ways
It speaks out against neo-colonialism, both in England and East Asia, while also expanding the message to oppose modern racism in post-colonial England and the Western world in general.
