S3 “Wear My New Clothes” and “Sell the Water” - The convergence of Queer Peking Opera and Feminist C-Raps

This episode of "Feminist Sonic Futures" explores the convergence of queer elements in Peking Opera and feminist themes in Chinese rap, focusing on Vava's song "My New Cloth." It discusses the decontextualization and recontextualization of traditional elements in modern music, comparing this with similar practices in American hip-hop. The episode also delves into issues of cultural appropriation and the complexities of sampling in music, drawing parallels with AI technology and its impact on artistic ownership. It touches on the challenges faced by female artists in a male-dominated industry and the expectations placed on them, using Vava's experiences as a case study. The script references various scholars and articles, including Salamishah Tillet's discussions on Kanye West's sampling of Nina Simone, Lauren Michele Jackson's views on cultural appropriation, Kevin Quashie's insights into the expressiveness and interiority of artists, and Prof. Lumumba-Kasongo's critiques on deepfakes of Black rappers. The episode concludes with reflections on the future of women in the music industry and the ethical considerations surrounding sampling practices. Music Sources: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkmAnUfNP3w&t=871s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aknkofx2bHg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3dCODJ-YVk