May 1, 2007 - page 2



homes, from Japanese school systems, and with Japanese themes.

Finishing the article, I turned to see if the rappers were still there. The beat-box guys had apparently left and the other two were talking with a group of nine or ten students who sat in a circle of books and instruments spread out on the grass. Soon, two students with djembe drums were pounding out a lively beat for the rappers. Nearly the whole park was paying attention, now that the drummers and rappers had blended their tones.

They were close enough to me now that I could make out what they were saying in their songs. Well, I could tell they were speaking French, but only understood the occasional word. Certain phrases and names especially stuck out. For instance (in English): Sarkozy, Royal, African, Arabian, immigrants, government, poverty, banlieues (government housing projects), education, and other politically charged notions.

Witnessing what I did, I would say the French language seems destined for the music of hip-hop. Listening to those

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