Proof that young, black rock fans do exist
| My mum hates my appearance... She says I should keep in line with what’s socially acceptable. |
For decades, rock music has been considered the sole preserve of grungy white, middle-class kids wearing baggy pants, dog collars and chunky chains.
But believe it or not, hidden in the works all along were teenage black rock fans with a similar attitude and dress sense. With artists like Limp Bizkit, whose music has been described as 'rap rock', more young black people are proclaiming themselves rock fans, but not without the usual dumb question - why?
It's an all too familiar query for 15-year-old Akosua Bonsu, whose favourite bands include, Metalica, Amen, Papa Roach and hold your breath - Marilyn Manson - the self-styled anti-Christ of rock, whose many antics include using a dead rat and burning crucifix as stage props.
Shock and outrage are the usual reactions she faces from many other young black people. Says Akosua: "Once I was walking down the street and a black woman looked at me like she wanted to kill me. It's really strange how weird people are about it."
Once she sheds her school uniform Akosua's usual get-up can include a T-shirt sporting the face of Marilyn Manson, a dog collar and chunky chains.
"Well, I know my mum hates it", she says of her appearance. "She's horrified by it. She instantly thinks I'm asking for disrespect. She says to me, 'society thinks they're (her clothes) wrong', and because of this I should try and keep in line with what's socially acceptable."
Soul
Another young black rock devotee, Ena Mensa, 14, found herself shunned by her former friends when she swapped R&B for rock as her preferred music.
Far from a resembling a lost soul in need of bringing back into fray, Ena is happy to buck trends. "I even like Slipknot", she says of the group who once appeared on the cover of a magazine accompanied by two freshly-skinned cows heads.
"I think basically black people are too ignorant, they stick to their rap and R&B and they really need to see what's happening", says the north Londoner firmly. "Most people think they're put in a certain group and they have to stay in that particular group, but we really need to get out and explore.
Like Akosua, Ena's traditional Ghanaian parents are far from approving of her rocker image. "My mum doesn't really like it", she explains, "and she's always telling me to change my clothes before I go out. But I don't go out with her dressed like this obviously. Most people think it's not the norm and its not accepted by society. Kids my own age do seem to stare at me but other people don't bother."
Both Akosua and Ena accept that they are a bit of an oddity on the rock scene but neIther let this bother them. "I go with my friends so it's usually quite relaxed" Akosua explains, "and when you're in a gig you're having a good time and all of a sudden you'll stop, look around you and think, 'I'm not white.' It just feels a bit weird. But you learn to adjust to the situation."
In terms of teenage rebellion Akosua firmly believes that listening to the devilish proclamations of Manson is no different from some of the more controversial lyrics served up by rapper Eminem.
"The fact that he burns a crucifix on stage just symbolises that he doesn't believe in Christianity", she believes. "You cannot persecute a person because they're not a Christian or because they're an atheist. Manson talks about killing his mum," she states. "Well Eminem talks about killing his wife."
Junkies
"People seem to think it's aimed at junkies or something", says Ena of the popular misconceptions that surround rock fans. But there's just no such thing as the average rock fan insists Akosua. Just as all teenage hip hop fans aren't mini-ghettofabulous gangstas, neither are all rock fans unwashed, into self-mutilation and near suicidal.
"What I like about rock fans," she continues, "is that we're all quite different. The only fundamental thing we have in common is that we listen to rock. That's the only thing you can actually pin on us.
"Some rock fans go to church, some harm themselves, some take drugs, some may listen to other types of music. There are even Christian rock bands who say, 'if life sucks, turn to God.'"
About the team
This article was produced by Della Hicks-Wilson with Akosua Bonsu. It was published as part of Teen Talk, the Children's Express page in New Nation.
