Parallel for the colonial mentality that has continued to plague
Africa's history since the incursion of the imperialists can be
drawn from the present musical phenomenon referred to as African
Hip hop. The statement itself is as ridiculous as referring to an
imitation of Fela's music as African Afro beat or Bobby Benson's
music as African Highlife. Hip hop is Hip hop. It has its own cultural
representation in society, from the music, to the clothing, to the
dances, to the art and even the language. The language of Hip hop is
commonly referred to as 'Ebonicsayin', which would be the Nigerian
equivalent of Pidgin. It is the preferred mode of communication
especially amongst poor people across the inner cities of America.

When a continental rap artist, who has not taken the time to
experience the Hip hop culture first hand, chooses to deliver lyrics
in this language, more often than not they sound like an American
would sound trying to sing a song in pidgin without ever visiting
Nigeria. At best what these African Hip hop artists represent are
advertising billboards for the real American Hip hop artists, who for
the most part sound way better than their continental counterparts,
based on the fact that Hip hop constitutes their culture and their
natural habitat. This is evident in the huge disparity between what
Nigerian companies will pay foreign rap artists in comparison to
what they will pay local artists to perform in Nigeria.

If the present trend in African rap music is not checked, the
continental rap music industry will forever remain a little baby
tugging at his big brother for candy and a chance to sit in the
front seat. Continental rap artists must develop our own sounds and
sensibilities, with our own cultural representations and nuances,
just like the Jamaicans have done with Reggae/dancehall - I pray no
one comes up with 'African reggae'. We must realize that the African
rapper has existed from the beginnings of recorded time, long before
Hip hop, and so there is no need for us to continue to imitate from
others what began with us. With all that said why not 'Pidgin Rap'.

Seyi Sofola is an
Afrikan Storyteller and CEO of www.afroraprecords.com