“The Rap of China”, a Chinese hip-hop survival show, follows a similar format to the similar show, “Show Me The Money” with contestants rapping to avoid elimination. As a result of the show’s first-season success in 2017, hip-hop swooped the culture of the youth and evolved into various subcultures.

How does the government view this? Well, let’s say they like it only if the
content benefits projecting an ideal image of the country. The Republic of
China is not exactly fond of present day rap lyrics that involve drugs,
partying and especially foreign influence. Rappers in China that do talk about the ‘gang life’ were silenced back in 2018 by the country’s top television regulator. Famous rappers like PG One and Gai had their content removed on streaming sites or were forced to apologize online
for their behaviors.

Fast forward to today- Gai is back and has apologized rapping about the Chinese philosophy, and his original identity is nowhere to be found. PG One apologizes on social media by blaming black culture. Little is known about whether they were told to revise their content or whether it’s passion that led them there.

Will The Rap of China continue to be the same path that rappers want to walk?

featured photo courtesy by Alvan Nee