Hip-hop is gradually making a comeback in Ghana, thanks to recent musical projects from rappers Gambo, Sarkodie and E.L.
*Hip-Hop Setbacks In Ghana*
Despite the growing popularity of hip-hop around the world, the genre has faced some setbacks with its growth in Ghana.
Critics have argued that hip-hop is an imported culture that did not reflect Ghanaian cultures.
Hip-hop saw its heyday in Ghana in the early 2000s. However, for several years now, some radio stations in Ghana have been very much reluctant to play hip-hop tracks, preferring to stick with more traditional Ghanaian genres like highlife and hiplife and in recent years Afrobeats and Afropop.
*Summer of Hip-hop*
But this summer, Gambo, Sarkodie and E.L. have been making tremendous efforts to revive and grow the hip-hop genre in Ghana. You can call it the summer of hip-hop in Ghana, with Gambo’s One More Bullet (1MB) Extended Play, Sarkodie’s Championship Mixtape and E.L.’s BAR 7 album, all setting the stage for hip-hop return to Ghana, and the hip-hop genre is once again gradually capturing the hearts of the young and old alike in Ghana.
*Gambo’s Drip Remix and 1MB EP*
Gambo’s ‘Drip Remix’, off his 1MB Extended Play, featuring legendary American rapper Jim Jones and Ayigbe Edem, has become one of the biggest hip-hop projects so far this year, crossing over two million views on both YouTube and World Star in about eight days after its release.
The 1MB EP is a musical project in celebration of hip-hop, with its lead single, ‘Drip Remix’ video shot in the USA and greatly promoting Ghanaian culture internationally. Featuring on the highly anticipated EP are Ghanaian music duo, E.L, and Kofi Jamar. E.L. featured on a song dubbed: ‘Enjoyment’. Kofi Jamar showcased his music prowess on ‘Conversation’, another amazing song on the EP. https://gambomusic.ffm.to/drip_remix_jimjones_edem
*Sarkodie’s Championship Mixtape*
Sarkodie’s Championship Mixtape is another master-class hip-hop project, featuring Joey B, XlimKid, and Beeztrap KOTM. The Mixtape houses six mind-blowing hits.
*E.L. BAR 7*
E.L. recently announced his BAR 7 album. BAR 7 follows his previous albums in the BAR series, which have cemented his position as one of the leading figures in African hip-hop. The BAR 7 album is expected to once again showcase E.L.’s lyrical dexterity and innovative production in the Ghanaian and African hip-hop space.
*Future of Hip-Hop in Ghana*
The future of hip-hop in Ghana looks promising. With the support of fans, the dedication of artists like Gambo, Sarkodie and E.L. – who continue to keep the genre alive in the country against all odds – and the power of technology, the hip-hop genre could continue to grow and evolve in Ghana.
Young Ghanaian artists who are interested in hip-hop now have the opportunity to showcase their talents with the advent of new technology and social media and streaming platforms. Technology is certainly playing a crucial role in the hip-hop resurgence. Social media platforms like Tiktok, Instagram and YouTube allow artists to share their music directly with fans, bypassing traditional gatekeepers like television and radio stations. Young hip-hop artists in Ghana can join Gambo, Sarkodie and E.L to utilize these platforms to build their audiences and engage with listeners.
It ought to be stated that the efforts from Gambo, E.L, and Sarkodie in reviving hip-hop in Ghana is not just about music, it’s also about cultural expression and promotion and social change as showcased in Gambo’s ‘Drip Remix’ which promoted Ghanaian culture tremendously on the international scene.
Artists could use their hip-hop songs to aside promoting Ghanaian culture, address important issues in the Ghanaian society such as unemployment, and injustices and to inspire the youth to take action.
*About the author*: Melvin Tarlue is the founder of Africa Publicity, a leading pan-African media agency promoting the work of African creatives.
Email: tarluemelvin12@gmail.com
