When the world gets closer.

We help you see farther.

Sign up to our expressly international daily newsletter.

blog

Students In Manchester Can Now Study French Hip Hop

Ever dreamed of quoting a French protest song in the middle of a heated, high-brow debate? The University of Manchester — in a city that has always been forward-thinking, especially when on the music front — now offers a course called "Protest Music in France".

Every week, students will focus on three French artists: songwriter George Brassens, Parisian dandy Serge Gainsbourg and hip hop group NTM.

"This course examines different expressions of protest in French popular music from the 1950s onwards .... After introductory sessions on popular music theory and the implications of protest in contemporary French culture, the course locates each artist, their discourse and their music output, in a specific historical, political, economic, social and racial context," the description explains.

NTM is the rap duo Joey Starr and Kool Shen, one of the most prominent groups in French hip hop history. They were part of the late 1980s wave that brought underground hip hop to light in France.

Joey Starr and Kool Shen remain best known for describing the rough life in the Parisian outskirts, known as the banlieue. Their song "Police," from their flagship album 1993… J'appuie sur la gâchette ("1993... I'm pulling the trigger"), which openly accuses French police forces of brutality, is representative of their strong committment to such concerns in their early years.

You've reached your limit of free articles.

To read the full story, start your free trial today.

Get unlimited access. Cancel anytime.

Exclusive coverage from the world's top sources, in English for the first time.

Insights from the widest range of perspectives, languages and countries.

Geopolitics

China's Military Intentions Are Clear — And Arming Taiwan Is The Only Deterrence

China is spending more money on weapons and defense than ever. The reason is evident: Xi Jinping wants to take Taiwan. Europe should follow the U.S. and support Taipei militarily as the only way to deter Beijing from war.

Photo of Military drills in Taiwan amid rising China-U.S. Tensions

Taiwanese soldiers stand guard at a base during a military drill simulating defense operations against a possible Chinese PLA intrusion

Gregor Schwung

-OpEd-

BERLIN — Fear is never the best advisor.

It is, however, an understandable emotion when China announces the biggest increase in its defense budget in memory. And when Beijing does so after siding with Russia in the Ukraine war with its supposed "peace plan" and justifying the increase with an alleged "escalating oppression" of China in the world.

The budget plan unveiled by outgoing Premier Li Keqiang calls for a 7.2% increase in defense spending. That's more than in previous years — and just the official figure.

Experts estimate the true spending is much higher, as Beijing finances its military through numerous shadow budgets.

Keep reading...Show less

You've reached your limit of free articles.

To read the full story, start your free trial today.

Get unlimited access. Cancel anytime.

Exclusive coverage from the world's top sources, in English for the first time.

Insights from the widest range of perspectives, languages and countries.

The latest