What Cree Needs Most
I am such a slacker on this blog.
Lest it be shut down for inactivity, however, I will share in brief an idea -- an ideal -- I have long held about what Cree needs most for it to regain a greater currency.
Two words: fluent rappers. Young people who speak the language effortlessly and artfully to a phat backbeat. (Do people even use the word "phat" anymore? Omigod, that is so 2003!)
But the odds are against it, frankly. And I don't know what's harder: to train someone who speaks the language well in the ways of rap, or to take a great (unilingually-English) rapper and teach them how to speak Cree.
But if our goal is to attract youth to the language, or to encourage those who do speak it to keep speaking, we need to find and develop the Nehiyaw equivalent of Jay-Z. Who knows, though: maybe that talented younger woman or man is already out there, just waiting to be called to the stage, with "Ladies and Gentlemen, put your hands together for Jay-CREE!!!"
ekosi,
Rick
Lest it be shut down for inactivity, however, I will share in brief an idea -- an ideal -- I have long held about what Cree needs most for it to regain a greater currency.
Two words: fluent rappers. Young people who speak the language effortlessly and artfully to a phat backbeat. (Do people even use the word "phat" anymore? Omigod, that is so 2003!)
But the odds are against it, frankly. And I don't know what's harder: to train someone who speaks the language well in the ways of rap, or to take a great (unilingually-English) rapper and teach them how to speak Cree.
But if our goal is to attract youth to the language, or to encourage those who do speak it to keep speaking, we need to find and develop the Nehiyaw equivalent of Jay-Z. Who knows, though: maybe that talented younger woman or man is already out there, just waiting to be called to the stage, with "Ladies and Gentlemen, put your hands together for Jay-CREE!!!"
ekosi,
Rick
posted by Rick Harp at 2:50 PM
4 Comments:
Music works more effectively with visuals. We need the visuals to go with the language retaining. For instance, we need clothes on those Cree-rappers that re-iterate what they are saying right? Do Jay-zee, Ice-cube, Snoop-dog, Puff daddy, Eminem not have a persona that they reflect through their clothing. IN essence what you are suggesting is that we need a sub-culture, our own Cree-genre, to promote. WE need to work together, have a manifesto to promote? We need leaders and followers, correct? Whjo shall begin to write? direct? design? create? listen? preach? believe?
I know where you are coming from. I hear what you are saying. I follow you.
"Anon,"
We are on the same page... language is subtly reinforced everywhere we go, from the words on traffic signs, to instructions on ramen noodles, to what messages are emblazoned on our clothing. (Instead of G-Unit, we'd have 'Cree-Unit?' Wait: that's still in English!)
There is a small but motivated group of cultural workers in Cree and other indigenous languages but we have yet to hit that critical mass yet where a large enough audience can support that, or vice-versa. Pahpahâkwan ahpo wawi (chicken or egg), I guess.
Ay-ay for commenting.
ekosi,
Rick
I don't know quite how I got here, but here I am. And you're dissin 'phat'? Noooo! My poor blog. *grin* You may not write on yours much, but I like it all the same. Indigenous cultures fascinate me. Good to meet you (and your blog)
Eri
(phatbeatsandshinypaper.blogspot.com)
this is Hank Williams Visitor
from east side james bay
ive been rappring in cree for ten years back in the day they said it was impossible so one day idecided what do i got to lose i recorded a little version of tupacs changes in english with one cree verse but the only copy that ever came out was a crappy version i did in my basement i never got to finish the way i wanted 2 becuase of pressure from others to put it out there just to prove to people cree music is still alive anyway im 6 to 8 months before my cree mix album drops if you want to hear it search for hank visitor in ares in my language i call cree rapping fast talking cuz thats what it is it aint singin lol ive never heard any one else do this most people are struggling with english rap and the ones who can rap well are just like me still trying to make our own versions of the chronic anyway..........
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