• In April 2023, DJ Supalee hosted Supafest Reunion 2023, a celebration of the U.S. Deaf community’s entertainers, highlighting the subgenre “dip hop,” where artists rap in sign language. Originated by Warren “Wawa” Snipe in 2005, dip hop integrates Deaf culture into music, differentiating it from other hip-hop forms. The genre has evolved with artists using diverse styles, including collaborations with DJs, use of sign language, and auditory elements in their performances. Despite initial struggles for mainstream recognition, artists like Signmark and Sean Forbes have made significant breakthroughs, with Forbes’ EP topping iTunes charts and both artists performing at the Super Bowl halftime show. Dip hop continues to challenge traditional notions of music and Deaf culture, redefining the auditory experience of music.

https://theconversation.com/deaf-rappers-who-lay-down-rhymes-in-sign-languages-are-changing-what-it-means-for-music-to-be-heard-206825
(July 27, 2023)

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