Abstract
This paper explores the work of South African rapper Angie Oeh, the country’s first openly lesbian rap artist, who emerged as a bold and disruptive voice within the traditionally conservative white Afrikaans music scene. Until her passing in 2023, Angie’s music and videos challenged deeply ingrained Christian and patriarchal norms, offering South African audiences an unapologetically queer and feminist narrative rarely seen or heard in local popular culture. Through her Afrikaans lyrics and distinctive visual style, she created a space for lesbian visibility in a cultural landscape still bound by heteronormative ideals. Yet, Angie’s work is not without its tensions. Her music often reproduces patriarchal rap tropes, such as referring to women as “bitches” or sexualising them in ways reminiscent of male rap artists. From a feminist standpoint, these expressions could be seen as demeaning, yet when viewed through a lesbian lens, they raise important questions about authorship, power, and desire. This paper examines why language and imagery that reinforce gender hierarchies in heterosexual contexts may take on different meanings when reclaimed by a lesbian artist. Through a queer feminist analysis of Angie Oeh’s lyrics and music videos this study positions her as both a product and critic of the rap genre. Angie is positioned as a groundbreaking figure redefining what it means to be Afrikaans, queer, and visible in South Africa’s contemporary music scene. The paper serves as a prelude to a larger study on South African lesbian representation and reception.
Presenters
Aimee ViljoenSenior Lecturer, Communication and Media, University of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Queer feminism, Lesbian representation, South African music, Angie Oeh, Afrikaans
