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Culture
Chip-Chop 嘻哈
Hip-hop and rap has a rich history in Western society – bridging genres of blues, rock and roll, gospel, and jazz, modern rappers and artists have become larger-than-life icons that have defined musical success and the canon of contemporary music. However, up until the 1980s, China had lagged behind on the musical bandwagon. This could be due to the communist party's control of media outlets or just a general disconnect between Western musical trends. Regardless, the Chinese rap scene is in a formative state reminiscent of America's rap scene; much of Chinese hip-hop and rap is an outlet for individual struggles and is used to express differences in culture that would otherwise go unheard. For a culture of youth that have been systematically suppressed for generations, the expressive nature of hip-hop has quickly assimilated into contemporary Chinese society.
Hip-hop and rap has a rich history in Western society – bridging genres of blues, rock and roll, gospel, and jazz, modern rappers and artists have become larger-than-life icons that have defined musical success and the canon of contemporary music. However, up until the 1980s, China had lagged behind on the musical bandwagon. This could be due to the communist party's control of media outlets or just a general disconnect between Western musical trends. Regardless, the Chinese rap scene is in a formative state reminiscent of America's rap scene; much of Chinese hip-hop and rap is an outlet for individual struggles and is used to express differences in culture that would otherwise go unheard. For a culture of youth that have been systematically suppressed for generations, the expressive nature of hip-hop has quickly assimilated into contemporary Chinese society.
Art and Literature
Ai Weiwei Rockin' Out
by Griffin Cote
Chinese artist, Ai Weiwei, has announced that he is producing a rock album, to debut in about three weeks; this is not his first attempt at music – he created a parody of Psy’s “Gangnam Style” late last year. Like his parody, this music will most likely be aimed at the Chinese government, as it is inspired by his imprisonment for alleged tax evasion, and includes songs about the activist Chen Guangcheng and government internet blocks. Ai Weiwei is famous for his architecture and sculptures, which include the Bird’s Nest Stadium and exhibits across Europe and America, many of which reflect his critical views of the Chinese government.
by Griffin Cote
Chinese artist, Ai Weiwei, has announced that he is producing a rock album, to debut in about three weeks; this is not his first attempt at music – he created a parody of Psy’s “Gangnam Style” late last year. Like his parody, this music will most likely be aimed at the Chinese government, as it is inspired by his imprisonment for alleged tax evasion, and includes songs about the activist Chen Guangcheng and government internet blocks. Ai Weiwei is famous for his architecture and sculptures, which include the Bird’s Nest Stadium and exhibits across Europe and America, many of which reflect his critical views of the Chinese government.
News
A Billion Dreams Against One
by Sam Medley
In the first week of 2013, the notoriously liberal Southern
Weekly of Guangdong Province planned to publish their annual New Year's
Greeting. Before publishing, the newspaper had to submit a draft to the local
propaganda authorities for approval. In the early hours of January first, the
editors were called in to revise the greeting on the grounds that it was too
inflammatory. The original 2,000 word version was cut to 1,000. The title
“China's Dream, the Dream of Constitutionalism” was changed to the more
appealing “We Are Closer to Our Dream Than Ever Before.” It became obvious that
the dreams of the people are second place to the dream of the government. But
what are these dreams? What exactly do the revisions say about hopes for
China's future?
The original unedited version calls for constitutionalism,
strict observance of the nation's constitution on all levels. No more
favoritism. No more class-ism. No more corruption. The greeting demands
justice. It references the nightmare of the Cultural Revolution, the
embarrassment of British Colonial rule, and the cruelty emanating from every
possible direction:
“At one
time, people were distanced from benevolence, righteousness, and the ways of
heaven. They were distanced from the
commitment to freedom.”
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