Postcolonial Western Europe: France

Question 1

Origins of Hop Hop in France, 1980s

Answer 1

Afrika Bambaataa (rapper) started Zulu Nation
Breakdancing and graffiti in banlieue street culture, people often encountered that before the music. Listened to music because of these activities (same in Germany)

Question 2

Banlieues

Answer 2

Large peripheral housing estates

Question 3

Hip hop visibility in media

Answer 3

Increased in 1990s
Radio Laser and Skyrock FM helped create radio network for hip hop
Film ‘La Haine’ and soundtrack album 1995 - young people, multi-ethnic cast, one of most famous French films of 1990s, soundtrack almost all reggae with one rap song became very popular

Question 4

NTM vs Police

Answer 4

1993 - song ‘Police’ severely critical of the police. Taken to court by police and won, but many French radio stations chose to boycott the music

1995 - NTM prosecuted for comments made about police (second issue with police) on stage between songs during anti-racist gig, sentenced to 6 months in prison which was shortened to 2 months and a large fine after an appeal

Question 5

Ministere AMER vs Police

Answer 5

1997 - accused of inciting people to kill the police with song ‘Sacrifice the Chicken’ (slang for police).
Due to freedom of expression, could not be prosecuted for song, but could be for comments made in interviews - band and journalist all fined

Question 6

1996

Answer 6

Language Quota Law - concern over French being overcrowded by English. Each radio station had to have 40% of daily songs in French (not necessarily from France, though). Designed to restrict amount of English music played, and make room for France

Problem for contemporary stations as not much French music around. Used French rap to fill quota

Question 7

Key themes in French hip hop (3)

Answer 7

Anger at marginalisation
Ideas of Afrika Bambaataa
Connectedness of France and N Africa (especially though Marseile)

Question 8

Colonial history

Answer 8

France had directly ruled Algeria, and tried to suppress Algerian independence movement
Before France became imperial, Marseilles was one of main ports connecting France to North Africa
Marseilles one of biggest centres of French hip hop

Question 9

IAM

Answer 9

Had complex ethnic backgrounds - Maghrebi, Italian, Francophone sub-Saharan African

From city where National Front had a strong foothold (wanted to stop migration, esp from north Africa and French-speaking West Africa)