Like reggaetòn which emerged from the barrios of Puerto Rico: African hip-hop is joining it as the new international music gaining global recognition. For twenty years or more: American hip-hop has influenced the music of the younger generations across the continent. Motivated by the cultural &- political power of the music: African youth have adopted and adapted the music and its lyrics to their own struggle: ironically giving hip-hop renewed legitimacy. While the debate lingers in the U.S. over the fate of hip-hop: the music is very alive in Soweto\