Hip-hop and Shakespeare, in this TED Talk summary, have a thin line between them. Before the video, I subconsciously thought that the Shakespearan era was more sophisticated than hip-hop era.
I discovered that they have a huge similarity. Hip-hop is as sophisticated as Shakespeare, with the potential to make people question their environments.
In addition, he gives an amazing background of the two. I will also provide a transcript near the end of the post, so don't miss out, just stick with me.
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Kingslee James McLean Daley, Known As Akala
The Hip-hop Shakespeare Company
What Do Hip-hop and Shakespeare have in common?
The Fifth Element of Hip-hop
How Does Hip-hop Act As A custodian of knowledge?
Food for thought is about to be served!
1. Kingslee James McLean Daley, Known As Akala.
Kingslee James McLean Daley, better known by his stage name Akala, is a British rapper born in 1983, on December 1st. He is the founder of The Hip-hop Shakespeare Company, but more on that later. He is a MOBO award-winning artist and one of the most influential black British people in the UK.
He found his name from a Buddhist term that means "immovable" or "unshakeable". It is originally spelled as Acala, but he stylized it to Akala.
He currently has five albums out, that is to say:
It's Not A Rumor
Freedom Lasso
Double Think
The Thieves Banquet
Knowledge Is Power II
Dale is also a well-known author, activist, and poet. He is a big contributor to the hip-hop culture and his works have been recognized across universities and schools. He aims to empower a new generation of free-minded activists and creatives.
2. The Hip-hop Shakespeare Company:
The Hip-hop Shakespeare Company (‘THSC’) is a music theatre production company aimed at exploring the social, cultural, and linguistic parallels between the works of William Shakespeare and that of modern-day hip-hop artists.
Founded in 2009 by BAFTA and MOBO award-winning UK hip hop artist Akala, The company aims at finding the similarities between these two phenomenons.
They toured the U.K, Europe as well as some parts of the South East Asia, Africa, Australia and India. They have also collaborated with the likes of Ed Sheeran, George The Poet and Zena Edwards.
The Company produces theatre productions and live music events. It also gives a platform to the young up-and-coming artists. Allowing them to work with the industry's best artists, actors and poet.
3. What Do Hip-hop and Shakespeare Have In Common?
Akala raises different points, but only two of them really stuck out for me. The rhythm and iambic pentameter. 5 sets 2 beats, the traditional rhythm of the heartbeat. The rhythm imitates the sound of life as they say.
Akala performed Shakespeare's Sonnet 18 over a couple of hip-hop beats to elaborate his point. The audience (me included) was dazzled, as they could notice how the rhyme scheme fits perfectly into any conventional hip-hop beat. He demonstrated it on three different rap beats.
This proves that anyone can perform a Shakespeare verse from any of his plays on a traditional rap beat.
4. The Fifth Element Of Hip-hop
To put it in Daley's words, knowledge has always been an intrinsic part of hip-hop. All in all, the typical five elements of hip-hop are as follows:
MCing
Disc Jockeying
Breakdancing
Graffiti
Knowledge
Arguably, these aren't the only elements that embody the culture. According to KRS-One, there are seven of them. Knowledge, being the essential one to any true hip-hop head. Each element stems from it. It's what is missing in the modern era.
This is the very reason why I began this blog. I saw a need for this knowledge. So I decided to write to cure this misconception and hopefully contribute something to the culture. Anyways this is not about me.
Akala's purpose in this TED Talk is to make you understand the gap of knowledge that needs to be filled. Hence the far-fetched comparison of hip-hop and Shakespeare. The driving factor of hip-hop is the knowledge that it gives and how diversely it's expressed.
It mostly explains the difference between mainstream society and the hip-hop community. its political and economic factors.
5. How Does Hip-Hop Act As A Custodian Of Knowledge?
A custodian of knowledge is a person who holds the experiences of their time, art, and culture.
Hip-hop, like Shakespeare, has the potential to impact social, political, and philosophical commentary in these modern times. It empowers us to practice critical thinking with the world around us.
So who are the custodians of knowledge?
Anyone can become a custodian of knowledge, including hip-hop rappers. In simple terms, anyone can become a gatekeeper of knowledge in this 21st century. No one is entitled to it.
Expressing yourself and imparting knowledge is what hip-hop is all about.
Download the transcript below if you want to translate it to your own language.
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