Nā mele paleoleo

Nā mele paleoleo (sometimes "mele paleoleo") is a form of contemporary Hawaiian music that blends hip hop with native Hawaiian rapping.^[1] Known as a form of Hawaiian performance poetry, spoken-word performers of nā mele paleoleo are gaining popularity due to rap and hip hop influences.^[2] The genre was influenced by emcees including Native Hawaiian activist and rapper, Charlotte "MC Frumpy" Kaluna, along with Joseph "DJ ELITE" Netherland in the late '80s.^[3][4][5] Sudden Rush were the first group to record nā mele paleoleo in 1993^[1] and became the most notable performers in the genre.^[6] Nā mele paleoleo means "songs that speak loudly and angrily" and was approved as an official Hawaiian term because of the advocacy of Don Ke'ala, a member of Sudden Rush.^[6] The lyrics are often overtly political, endorsing Native Hawaiian sovereignty.^[1][7]