Latina Feminist Hip Hop
Just discovered my new favorite female artist: DIY activist French-Chilean rapper Ana Tijoux.
Unlike other MC’s in the game, she is known for rapping about political issues from corruption and classism to education rights. Influenced by 90’s hip hop female artists such as Bahamadia, MC Lyte, and Queen Latifah, Tijoux feels alienated by some of today’s materialistic and often sexist mainstream hip-hop saying, “They use terms like ‘bitch’ and we don’t use that word in Chile, so people get turned off. When you admire an artist, you like their videos, their universe,” she said. “I look at their videos and they appear with gigantic cars, and that type of car doesn’t exist where I’m from. It’s not part of our culture, so it’s difficult to identify yourself with it.”
This song and video “Shock” from her newest album La Bala raises awareness to the Chilean student protests that bring attention to Chili’s oppressed educational system placed by President Pinochet. Speaking to Remezcla Musica, Tijoux said, “Writing this song, I was inspired by these social movements, writing from my perspective as a mother, musician and citizen. I thought it was important to pay homage to these protesters.”
Ana Tijoux’s presence in a male-dominated musical genre is feminist in itself but actually singing about issues that are important to women of color, working class women, female students, women in poverty, etc. takes it to a whole other level.
Ana, keep doing your thing girl.
¡Te tengo demasiado respeto hermana!
