Renowned Mozambican rapper Azagaia died on 9 March in an unfortunate domestic accident. Née Edson da Luz, 38 years ago, Azagaia was arguably the best rapper of his generation.
He spawned hit after hit of raps highly critical, irreverent and mordant verses which criticised the rampant corruption and bad governance in the country.
Never one to bite his tongue, Azagaia whipped the people into fervour in his shows. Little wonder he was called the ‘’People’s Rapper’’. Ever the social interventionist, Azagaia’s discography comprised raps songs such as ”As Mentiras da Verdade (The Lies of the Truth), ”ABC do Preconceito (The ABC of Prejudice)”, ‘’Cães de Raça (Purebred Dogs)’’, among others.
While beloved both in Mozambique and in Portuguese-speaking African countries, the regime at which his ire was directed, did not like him.
Speaking about colonialism, Portuguese sociologist Boaventura de Sousa Santos said recently that to understand colonialism in Mozambique, one would have to listen to one of Azagaia’s rap songs, ‘’Cães de Raça (Purebred Dogs)’’, to learn that although colonialism has been defeated, it still lives through the ruling elite which has adopted some of the practices of the former colonial masters.
For a rapper whose name inspires sentiments of popular revolt, Azagaia only produced three albums. He shall be dearly missed.
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