Nation's fading tongues find voice in rap revival

Rice-noodle superstar

Shi's friend "Ranzer" Ye Runze, 34, is also striving to blend Changsha dialect, life experiences, personal stories and local culture with hip-hop music.

According to his fans, Ye's music flows easily like the city's Xiangjiang River. Cleverly combining Changsha dialect, Mandarin, rap and folk ballads, Ye's songs are more melodic and accessible to a broader audience.

Last year, his hit Hometown, Wind impressed millions of people and introduced his hometown and its melodies in a refreshing way.

Learning the Chinese zhudi (bamboo flute) from age 8, he has been motivated by American rapper Kanye West through the years. Ye said folk songs, which he has listened to since he was a kid, have also become a source of inspiration and added a unique color to his sound.

For example, A Bamboo Pole from his first solo album in 2020, was adapted from a Hunan folk song. It conveys the message of "unity", as one single bamboo pole might be easy to bend, but when three or more of them are bound together, they can drive a big boat and ride the waves. The idea, in Ye's eyes, aligns with the concept of crew, squad and community in United States hip-hop culture.

"We may speak different languages and live different lives from rappers on the other side of the world, but essentially, we share similarities in culture, spirit and human nature," said Ye.

He refers to his music offerings as bowls of "rice noodles" by the roadside, a Changsha specialty popular with almost everyone. They are simple, pure, and warm, and a conduit for lively local stories.

"Hip-hop is free. It's about breaking down boundaries and exploring new possibilities. I want to be a 'superstar' in my way, which is to take my personal style to the extreme — maybe like a Chinese version of 'Post Malone'," said Ye.

Abler Liu contributed to this story.

wangxin2@chinadaily.com.cn