Written by Shades of Black: The Hip Hopera charges all who hear it to embrace every aspect of themselves. The video, much like the song, shows that belonging to different worlds is not a contradiction, but a blessing. The video juxtaposes Zakiyyah singing opera at Symphony Hall while rapping in an urban setting with her peers, and later shows her sitting upon a throne in an African queendom. Between her bold lyrics, and her striking contrast in classical and urban visuals, Zakiyyah encourages people of color not to compromise their culture in order to fit into white spaces. Hip-Hopera is about creating your own space so that you never have to wait for the world to make space for you.
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Last modified: October 25, 2019
