Develop to the Rhythm of the Algorithm: Kenyan Rappers, Sino-African Futures

Whilst Chinese influence in African development is typically associated with ‘hard’ infrastructure and material construction, this paper highlights algorithmic platforms (Chinese and otherwise) as another kind of infrastructure through which African youths may voice alternative visions of China-Africa relations, in ways that challenge the dominant narratives of governments, corporations, and the political commentariat. Following brief examples of Ugandan and Rwandan influencers, I present the case of Kenyan rappers who compose, remix, and perform Chinese-language songs for Chinese audiences. Their practices suggest an embrace of platform-sponsored developmentalism, rooted in particular ideologies of connection, participation, and distribution that shift the burdens of development from states and NGOs to metrics and individual selves. Yet, the promises of platform-based development are bedevilled by myriad precarities and power asymmetries, from racist trolls to shadow bans. Redirecting our focus away from Chinese state media in/about Africa and Chinese producers’ representations of Africa to China, the work of Kenyan rappers raises questions about the technological affordances that enable – and imperil – Africans’ aspirations to represent and develop themselves.