Kwaito music, perhaps the most important musical genre to materialize in post-apartheid South Africa, is commonly referred to as southern hip-hop. African. South African hip-hop was born in the 1990s, shortly after the election of Nelson Mandela as president. “Mandoza [a popular Kwaito singer] says it’s not a coincidence. After years of struggle, young people were looking for a way to enjoy freedom. This is exactly what Kwaito offers” (Lob 1). A popular hip-hop group, Prophets of da City, from Cape Town, South Africa, was deeply attracted to the ideology of American hip-hop, particularly artists such as Ice-T, Dr. Dre, DJ Yella and Easy-E. The city's prophets were able to identify with the messages displayed in the text of their songs regarding discrimination, violence, and poverty. Before the election of Nelson Mandela, the population of apartheid South Africa was constrained by political boundaries. Due to the Separate Development Act, blacks were not allowed to socialize with individuals outside their original tribe. Their government believed that maintaining borders was essential to maintaining a proper balance. “Radio stations had different broadcast systems for each ethnic group. » (Mhlambi 4). As if not being able to listen to a favorite radio station wasn't enough to add insult to injury, radio stations were also heavily censored. Kwaito, meaning "angry" in English, was seen as an act of rebellion against political restrictions. Kwaito's first hit, written by Mafokate, hates the use of the word kaffir, a negative term used to refer to a black African. The text of the song “is a perfect illustration of the freedom of expression that developed as a result of political change” (Mhlambi 4). Kwaito music...... middle of paper...... (Quote from visual #1) "Kwaito: History of South Africa online." Kwaito | History of South Africa online. Np, and Web. April 14, 2014.Kwaito Music. 2013. http://www.theeye.co.zw/musical-concept-empowering-local-woman-1530715/. By Mutsa Samhembere. Internet. April 23, 2014. (Quote from visual n°2)Lob, Emily. “For Black South Africans, Kwaito Music = Fun.” VOA. Voice of America, December 6, 2012. Web. April 23, 2014.Mhlambi, Thokozani. “Kwaitofabulous: The study of a South African urban genre.” Journal of Musical Arts in Africa, 2004. Web. March 31, 2014. Steingo, Gavin. “The politicization of “Kwaito”: from “party politics” to party politics. »JSTOR. Center for Black Music Research - Columbia College Chicago and University of Illinois Press, Spring 2007. Web. March 31, 2014. Swink, Simone. “South Africa.info.” Kwaito: much more than music. Np, December 22, 2005. Web. April 17. 2014.