Munich Biennale announces Journal Rappé streaming dates

Journal Rappé was scheduled to be presented live by rappers Keyti and Xuman in Munich this May, but the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2020 edition of the festival will now livestream 10 pre-recorded episodes of Journal Rappé between 15 and 24 May. The first episode will be streamed as part of the event's online launch on 15 May, and episodes 2 to 10 will screen from 16 to 24 May. All screenings will take place at 6pm GMT+2.

The content of Journal Rappé is centred on youth, politics and development in Africa. At the end of each episode, the rappers will discuss the topics covered with a live online audience on Munich Biennale's social media platforms.

"Given the current global pandemic, we have a special episode on public health in Africa where we take the opportunity to talk about the effects of COVID-19 on the African health system," Xuman told Music In Africa. "We also talk about African identity, independence, African pride and its culture, as well as Afrotopia."

The Munich Biennale says Journal Rappé "creates a space for an alternative discussion and is an outstanding example of the sparkling creativity of these two African artists."

"One result from this is journalism of citizens and artists that goes beyond the normal standards, which deals intensively with socio-political and economic subjects and questions the borders between art, activism and gridlocked communication routes," it said.

Since its launch in 2013, Journal Rappé has covered relevant topics that are often neglected by traditional media. Xuman says airing their content on the Internet has allowed the rappers to maintain their creative freedom. This, he says, is an alternative that other artists can explore, especially in environments defined by censorship laws.

"Already the Internet has succeeded in breaking down cultural barriers and now every content creator has their audience at the click of a button. The Senegalese diaspora alone represent 80% of our audience, and we have managed to build a good reputation for quality creative content from Africa that acts as a successful example that other creators can follow," Xuman said.

During a previous interview with Music In Africa, Keyti said Journal Rappé's primary goal was to actively encourage young people to engage in politics, criticise decisions in which they have little or no say, and use creativity to shape the future.

“The African youth is changing the narrative of Africa. For example, Kenya is becoming one of the technological hubs in the world, and I am confident that it will keep growing. Young people are doing that. In Nigeria, the creative industry in cinema is huge and young people are driving it. There are so many examples. So I don't think things can change on the continent without the youth," Keyti said.

The participation of Journal Rappé at the Munich Biennale 2020 is supported through a partnership between the Music In Africa Foundation, Siemens Stiftung, and Goethe-Institut.