Course Outcomes:
- Explain what hiplife is.
- List which instruments are dominant in hiplife
- Name popular artists of hiplife.
Watch Video:
Watch the Video Lesson above multiple times until you fully understand; and attempt the lesson’s assignment by clicking the button below.
NB: Students who perform below average will be asked to re-do their assignments.
Hiplife Music Genre
Origin and Background of Hiplife Music:
Hip-life is a derivation from Highlife, Hip-hop and Rap. It is a fusion of the Hip-hop music of Europe and America and the Highlife music of Africa.
Hip-life music was coined with the aim of familiarizing the people of Ghana with Hip-hop which was then the choice of the masses. In other words, it intended to use the local dialect to break the barriers for the youth that were into Hip-hop but could not understand English. Hip-life is therefore a fusion of the Hip-hop music of Europe and America and the Highlife music of Africa
Hip-life portrays both the culture of Africa and that of Europe and America using codified and pedantic language (alliteration, imagery, rhythm, lyrics and so on) and reaching out to the youth and should be looked at critically.
Unlike Highlife, Hiplife is a medium of expression that incorporates traditional folklore materials into a modern song form by including foreign elements. It fuses traditional Akan rhythms and melodies with European instrumentation and harmony. It mixes hip-hop beatmaking and rap with highlife music, proverbial speech, and Akan storytelling.
In the 1990s, young Ghanaian musicians were drawn to hip-hop’s dual ethos of black masculine empowerment and capitalist success. So they made their underground sound mainstream by infusing carefree bravado with traditional respectful oratory and familiar Ghanaian rhythms.
Development of Hiplife:
The origins of Ghanaian hip hop go back to the 1980s, with performers such as K.K. Kabobo and Gyedu Blay Ambolley. Over time, Ghanaians became influenced by American hip hop, reggae, dance hall. Hiplife’s history dates back to the early 1990s. It started off with artists such as Jeff Tennyson Quaye, better known around the world as Jay Q, who introduced Jama / kpanlogo to hiplife.
Other groups like Native Funk Lords (NFL) came out with pidgin rap; Jake & Eddy Blay also took inspiration from bands such as Osibisa and Ghanaba of Ghana.
Reggie Rockstone has been described as the “Godfather of Hiplife” since he spawned a new music genre in the country. Though Reggie Rockstone and co have been credited for Hiplife, there has been a new development about who first recorded Twi rap? After 25 years, an obscure Ghanaian music titled, “Obaa Sima” recently gained notoriety.
Interestingly, Gyedu Blay Ambolley as early as 1973 released ‘Simigwado which was dense with fast-spoken rapping portions in Fanti over jazzy highlife sounds, so some might argue that these tracks could also be termed hiplife.
Subgenres:
- Jay-Q – Asokpor
- Sarkodie – Azonto.
- D. Cryme – Twi Pop
- Terry Bonchaka – Raglife
- Batman Samini – Raglife
List of Popular Hiplife Producers:
- Jay-Q
- Hammer of the last 2
- Richie
- Kaywa
- Kill Beatz
- Apiettus
List of Popular Hiplife Artists:
- Tic Tac,
- Sarkodie,
- Vision in Progress (VIP),
- Asem,
- Obrafour,
- Buk Bak,
- Castro
- Samini
- Kwaw Kesse,
- Koo Wiase,
- D-plan,
- Richie,
- ASEM,
- Sarkodie,
- Yaa pono.
Case Study:
Hiplife has largely had a secular outlook. Although many people including church folk enjoy these beats, why do you think this has been the case?
Key Lessons:
Hiplife showcases the power of adaptability and creativity. It is possible to preserve culture through innovative ways that are relatable to new generations.