"Foreigness" and Growth
Overall, hip hop is still perceived in Ivory Coast as a foreign type of music and artist do not enjoy the popularity of their Zouglou or Coupe Decalle counterparts. It is considered a marginal mouvement with a specific following because most Ivorians did not find in what was offered in Ivorian Rap over the years material or situations to relate to or connect with. However, since 2006 and the rise of a new school of Ivorian rap crews such as the very popular Garba 50 (whose name is inspired by a very cheap and popular Ivorian dish eaten by the common people), who was even quoted by the then Ivory Coast president Laurent Gbagbo, Hip Hop is enjoying a newfound following among the Ivorian population. By blending Nouchi, the particular and very evocative Ivorian vernacular and street language with hip hop beats and rhyming style groups like Garba 50, Sans Soi, and Rage Man (among others) have managed to revitalize the movement and make it more accessible to Ivorians.
Read more about this topic: Ivorian Hip Hop
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