Paper long abstract:

In Luanda, the capital of Angola, we can find an unusual musical expression. Since the mid 1990s, Kuduru (<em>stiff bottom</em> in Kimbundu language) is the most popular music-style in the <em>musseques</em>, Luandas suburbs. Imported to Lisbon through the Angolan migrants, we find several lines of transformation and the competition between <em>Kuduru Luandense</em> and <em>Kuduru Lisboeta</em> in terms of the better and more <em>authentic</em> style.

Combined with a set of defined dance movements, this music style, which is the only pure electronic music in Africa (except south-african <em>Kwaito</em>), is distributed primarily through informal markets and first of all in virtual mediascapes like Youtube and MySpace.

Kuduru and its sub style <em>Tarraxinha</em> are urban music-styles based on relentlessly fast minimalist rhythm, electronic beats with loops and samples, that are able to express the fractious energies and desires of a generation is starting to unfold after three decades of civil war. MCs are rapping to the dull thudding and broken beats of the defective equipment. Thus, in terms of dance and style we find similarities to Hip Hop, but music and idea are not related to that. Rapping is in Calao, the language of the city Luanda, a combination of Portuguese and Kimbundu. We find references to national heroes like Agostinho Neto and popular music styles since the 1950s. But also appropriations of popular culture, by using mobile ring-tones like Crazy Frog to create new loops and samples are part of the business.

In my paper I will enter the discussion of the development of Kuduru and its significance in the urban setting of Luanda and Lisbon, on which we don’t find any scientific analysis, yet. I will contrast it with other art- and music-scenes in that city, regarding the different ways of appropriation and (re)making of a cultural life. With my example, I will analyse the role of virtual spaces for African youth culture and urbanity, and it's increasing significance in the communication between homeland and diaspora in the 21st century.