Break and Flow: Hip Hop Poetics in the Americas

Hip hop is a global form of creative expression that empowers individuals and communities in the face of postcolonial racial and class violence. Break and Flow, by Charlie Hankin, explores how new media is used to produce and distribute knowledge in the Global South, refining our understanding of poetry and popular music at the turn of the millennium.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 328 pages
Publication date: 31 July 2023
Publisher: University of Virginia Press

Hip-hop is a vibrant and diverse global art form that has transcended its origins in the United States to become a powerful tool for social empowerment and cultural expression. In Cuba, Brazil, and Haiti, rappers have embraced hip-hop as a means to challenge the boundaries imposed by colonialism and racial and class inequality. Despite the geographical and linguistic differences between these artists, Charlie Hankin discovers a shared understanding of hip-hop's ability to intervene in the public sphere and a poetics of community, nation, and transatlantic longing in their music and lyrics.

Break and Flow, a groundbreaking work of scholarship situated at the intersection of sound studies and Afro-diasporic poetics, draws on years of ethnographic fieldwork and collaboration, as well as an extensive archive of hundreds of hip-hop songs by over sixty artists. Through his meticulous analysis, Hankin illuminates how new media technologies are being used to produce and distribute knowledge in the Global South, reshaping our understanding of poetry and popular music at the turn of the millennium.

In Cuba, hip-hop has emerged as a powerful tool for social activism and resistance against the Cuban government's authoritarianism. Rappers such as Silvio Rodríguez and Pablo Milutin have used their music to critique the country's political system, criticize social inequality, and advocate for human rights. Their songs have become an anthem for the Cuban people, expressing their frustration and hope for a better future.

Brazil's hip-hop scene is equally vibrant and diverse, with artists such as MC Gui and Marcelo D2 creating music that blends elements of hip-hop, funk, and Brazilian music traditions. Their lyrics often address social issues such as poverty, racism, and corruption, using humor and storytelling to convey their messages.

In Haiti, hip-hop has played a crucial role in the country's struggle for democracy and social justice. Rappers such as Wyclef Jean and Jean "Tout Puissant" Martelly have used their music to raise awareness about the country's history of colonialism, poverty, and political instability. Their songs have become anthems for the Haitian people, inspiring them to demand change and fight for their rights.

Despite the challenges faced by these artists, hip-hop has remained a powerful force for social change in the Global South. It has provided a platform for marginalized voices to be heard, challenged dominant narratives, and promoted a sense of community and belonging. Through their music and lyrics, rappers have demonstrated the ability of art to inspire, educate, and empower, contributing to the ongoing struggle for a more just and equitable world.

In conclusion, hip-hop is a global form of creative expression that has transcended its origins in the United States to become a powerful tool for social empowerment and cultural expression. In Cuba, Brazil, and Haiti, rappers have embraced hip-hop as a means to challenge the boundaries imposed by colonialism and racial and class inequality. Break and Flow, a groundbreaking work of scholarship situated at the intersection of sound studies and Afro-diasporic poetics, illuminates how new media technologies are being used to produce and distribute knowledge in the Global South, reshaping our understanding of poetry and popular music at the turn of the millennium. Hip-hop has the potential to inspire, educate, and empower, contributing to the ongoing struggle for a more just and equitable world.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780813949826