• 2016-05-11

The Center for Chinese Studies (CCS) of NCL in cooperation with Ghent University in Belgium organized the first "Taiwan Lectures on Chinese Studies". Invited to this lecture was Professor Dafydd Fell from the School of Oriental and African Studies, SOAS, University of London. He spoke on "The Use of Rap in Taiwanese Political Communication".

Professor Dafydd Fell has focused at length on the political development of Taiwan. His talk investigated the role and impact of rap music in Taiwan political communication.

Professor Dafydd Fell pointed out that in the past three decades, rap has developed into an important musical style in Taiwan. This musical style came after the democratization of Taiwan. Surprisingly, it is often used in political communication.

By analyzing the lyrics of five political rap songs from the late 1980s to the present day, he showed how rap music is used to fight and satire public authority as well as how it became a campaign tool for power, and even becoming an instrument used by the government to attract young voters and a way to promote public policy.

The lecture attracted many students from Ghent University and a lively discussion ensued on how the elements of rap music influenced Taiwan election and its democratization process.