A blog and podcast on hip hop in Africa
Boundaries are meant to be pushed. Boundaries are usually created out of false norms and restrictive rules. Hip Hop oftentimes finds itself stuck in a box that set the boundaries as grimy, hardcore, sexual content, when Hip Hop can be so much more. Hip Hop is a genre borne from rebels who set out to … Continue reading “143 M3nsa”
In M3nsa’s song, “No one knows tomorrow”, he basically discusses the uncertainty of life. The message of the song is no one knows tomorrow. He promotes positivity in this song, stating that we should cherish what we have while we have it. He briefly points out that people are different and that the slightest things … Continue reading “A review on M3nsa’s ” No one Knows””
The Ghanaian hip-hop scene is one of the most diverse in Africa. A look at Ghana’s top emcees reveals artists that vary greatly in style, lyricism, skill and demeanor.
Mensa Ansah otherwise known as M3nsa, was born in Accra, Ghana and grew up along side his now common musical partner Wanlov the Kubalor. He worked with Reggie Rockstone early on in his carreer taking sounds from Hip life, Afro-beat and other styles to eventually carve his own place in the hip hop world. Much … Continue reading “M3nsa”
The song BRKN LNGWJZ by FOKN Bois is a song that really embodies the discussion revolving around the use of different languages in social settings. FOKN Bois is a Ghanaian rap group that consists of Wanlov the Kubolor and M3nsa. In this song, Wanlov and M3nsa talk about what makes them who they are and … Continue reading “Dialects of Hip-Hop”
Diaspora based artists like K’Naan, Blitz the Ambassador, M3nsa, Wale, and French Montana, and Tabi Bonney have been covered heavily in this blog. There are several other first and second generation African MCs around the world who have not been covered as much in this blog. As students in the Hip Hop and Social Change … Continue reading “Diaspora Rappers”
Index of artists mentioned in the book 2C | Liberia Abramz | Uganda | @AbramzTekya Amkoullel L’enfant Peulh Baay Bia | Senegal | @baaybia Balozi/Dola | Tanzania Black Bird | Zimbabwe | @blackbirdafrica Blitz the Ambassador | Ghana | @BlitzAmbassador Burni Aman | South Africa | @BurniAman Cindy Rulz | Tanzania | @CindyRulz Daara J | Senegal | @daarajfamily Da Brains … Continue reading “Index of Artists”
This is an overview of the chapters in this book. The link to the chapters provide further details about the specific resources available in those chapters. Chapter 1: “Boomerang”: Hip Hop & Pan African Dialogues “Often when we speak of Pan-Africanism it is through the diasporic gaze, through the diaspora reflecting on African connections. We … Continue reading “Chapter Overview”
Chapter Overview This chapter focuses on the relationship between hip-hop and African migrants who now live all over the world. The songs of migrants often speak on the conditions in Africa that led to them to leave. They speak of the stress of being away from their homeland, and the possibility of their return. This … Continue reading “African migrant experiences”
This month we’re featuring a conversation with Ghanaian artist Wanlov the Kubolor. In the interview we talk about Wanlov the Kubolor’s experiences, his music, the controversies, and his evolution into Wanlov the Kubolor, the African Gypsy.
Wanlov the Kubolor is a smart, introspective artist who is very much aware of the social relevance of his music. He often makes social commentary, whether via his music or social media, and infuses that social commentary with humor. Wanlov’s humor (and he’s genuinely funny) often has fans laughing before realizing that there is a message in the madness. Wanlov has detractors, people who take issue with his music or behavior. But, agree or disagree with his views, Wanlov the Kubolor is not afraid of expressing himself in unconventional ways.
Wanlov’ the Kubolor’s music reflects his diverse background and experiences. It is difficult to put Wanlov the Kubolor into one category of music. He is an MC, but he also blends several different sounds and styles in his music. He’s a versatile artists who has crafted a career as a successful, internationally known artist.
His solo albums are Green Card, Yellow Card, Brown Card: African Gypsy, and Orange Card: Fruitopian Raps
Wanlov is also one half of the group Fokn Bois (his partner is M3nsa), which has released two films film Coz ov Moni and Coz ov Moni 2. They also released the soundtracks to Coz ov Moni and Coz ov Moni 2. The groups also released FOKN Wit Ewe and FOKN Ode to Ghana. Wanlov has also released several EPs.
Wanlov the Kubolor’s music can be found on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/wanlov-the-kubolor/id455218010
He’s also on social media Twitter: @wanlov and Facebook: Wanlov the Kubolor
Episode Playlist
:40 “In Ghana”
2:53 Episode Intro
6:48 “Sometimes”
8:00 “Brkn Lngwjz”
10:00 “Mek We Rap”
11:58 “Trotro Blues”
13:25 “No Borders”
14:58 Interview with Wanlov the Kubolor
