International Rap Propaganda
In the United States, hip-hop dominates the charts. This phenomenon has spread internationally— and governments around the world have caught on.
As rap music joined the mainstream during the 1980s, it was immediately recognized as a method of direct resistance toward social and racial inequities in the United States. The sound of rap, pioneered by groups like The Sugarhill Gang, N.W.A, and Tupac, was characterized by its gritty, personal style. Their music called attention to distinct issues, varying from personal struggles to gang violence and racism.
Initially, music by artists like Tupac was shunned by the American government, with prominent figures denouncing the lyrics and values of rap music. Dan Quayle, Vice President from 1989 to 1993, publicly denounced Tupac’s music and morals. "There is absolutely no reason for a record like this to be published,” he said. "It has no place in our society." A prominent Democrat of the time, Mary Elizabeth “Tipper” Gore, campaigned directly against Tupac’s style of rap music.
International governments, however, have not acted so defiantly against rap. After recognizing antiquated forms of propaganda were not as effective, governments have co-opted the once-subversive genre of rap to serve their agendas. Governments are furthering the façade that rap as propaganda is effective. China’s primary newspaper, The People’s Daily, tweeted that their most recent rap propaganda, “Two Sessions” has “increasingly caught young people's attention”.
In Thailand, a group called RAD (Rap Against Dictatorship) released a song called “Prathet Ku Mee,” translating to “Which Is My Country,” which grapples with the military’s control of Thai Politics as well as various other taboo subjects. It also features controversial imagery: the artists included a replication of a “gruesome historic scene where a corpse hanging from a tree is continuously beaten as a crowd cheers on.” The song generated conversations nationwide— the group had tested the limits of Thai free speech, and their work was quickly noticed by the Thai government. Thai spokesman Buddhipongse Punnakanta claimed the song’s lyrics not only attacked the military but the country’s integrity.
The way the Thai government responded, however, was decidedly unconventional. They initially claimed they would arrest anyone involved with the creation of the song. These threats were soon found baseless— the Thai police found that the lyrics of the song did not provide sufficient cause to follow through with their prosecutions. So, they took a different route. The Thai government released a state-sponsored rap song, called “Thailand 4.0,” which was seen as a response to “Prathet Ku Mee”.
Essentially, it was a propaganda-oriented diss track attempting to debase the claims made by RAD. The song’s beat featured a melodic restructuring of the Thai national anthem, with the music video featuring future-oriented shots of children learning astronomy and high-speed trains careening through Bangkok. The lyrics were positive, ranging from “There are many talented Thais, if we work together, we’d be stronger, stronger,” to “Gen M, Gen Z, Gen whatever, if you all agree, it’d be easier, easier.”
This style of government-backed rap propaganda is not uncommon. A Chinese state agency recently released a propaganda rap video called “Two Sessions”, describing the parliamentary meetings held every month, with lyrics referencing China’s progress and developments over recent years.
The prime minister of Turkmenistan has been known to perform live raps with his grandson praising the supposedly glorious state of the country, his lyrics translating to “Here’s a bowl of flowers and trees, here’s a music of mountains and sea, beautiful sights of rivers and sky, all other beauties in Turkmenistan”, and at one point putting his hands up and chanting “Turkmenistan” over the backing instrumental.
Somewhat amusingly, this style of propaganda will not be stopped anytime soon. These governments claim this style of propaganda is successful, and that may be at least somewhat true— yet it is impossible to know how many are truly reached by their efforts. But to the citizen, rap music will continue to be a form of advocacy and a driver of change.
After all, “Prathet Ku Mee” has over 15 times as many YouTube views as the response from the Thai government.