Rap Links

If, like me, you're interested in language and/or history, or if you like rap music here are some things you might enjoy reading.

In the past I've blogged about my belief that many of what we call nursery rhymes were originally performed on the streets like rap music is done today. Many of those rhymes were political statements disguised to avoid punishment. Freedom of speech didn't exist in the Middle Ages.

If you want to read my previous posts on the subject here are the links to them:
http://onwordsblog.blogspot.com/search?q=Rap

Recently I saw an interesting post about the use of rhythm in various languages and cultures.  It seems rap is not only for people who speak English. Here's the link to that article:
http://daily.jstor.org/word-mother-tongue-can-hip-hop-save-endangered-languages/

 I'd love to hear what you think about these posts.