Search Results for “wanlov” – The Hip Hop African

Wanlov The Kubolor Addresses Colorism through Personal Experience in “My Skin”

Ghanaian artist Wanlov The Kubolor speaks on the effects of colorism on people in Africa and his personal experience with it in 2008 with song My Skin. The video for this song is not professionally shot, but rather just him and his camera in the comfort of his own home, so it seems. There areRead…
HHAP Episode 16: Wanlov the Kubolor

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.…
The Diaspora as depicted in Wanlov the Kubolor’s “Smallest Time”

Emmanuel Owusu-Bonsu, also known as Wanlov the Kubolor, was born into a Ghanaian-Romanian family in Ghana. After years of living in Ghana, he moved to the United States to study Computer Science and Business Administration at the University of Mary Hardin Baylor. Two years later, in 2002, he dropped out in order to become fullyRead…
HHAP Ep 79: Hip-Hop culture as a space where Black identities are negotiated and presented

The first episode of 2023 is a special episode on hip-hop as a cultural space where Black identities can be negotiated and presented. The research project was part of a larger seminar project with the University of Maryland College Park on African/Black Diaspora Studies. The larger project was funded by a grant from the Andrew…
HHAP Ep76: FOKN Bois on Satire and Music as Social Commentary

Ghanaian hip hop duo FOKN Bois use satire to convey important social commentary on religion, politics, and sexuality. In this episode, they share their experiences and the thoughts that have gone into music and the messages they deliver. The duo talks about their decision to rap and write in Pidgin English, which they say stems…
Focus on Ghana: LGBT+ Allyship as Queer Work

We have featured the work of several queer artists in Africa, as well as the increasing number of artists who are allies. This video is of a panel discussion at that took place at Howard University this month, which brought together Ghanaian activists and allies of the LGBT+ community in Ghana in light of theRead…
The Gold Coast

Gold Coast is a music video that was released three years ago featuring Wanlov on ELi’s song. ELi is a Ghanaian Hip Hop artist and in the video, he’s in his home country. The first few clips of the video feature Labadi beach located in Accra, Ghana. The video’s message is clear early on asRead…
Fokn Bois and Social Commentary?

Ghanaian music group, Fokn Bois, comprising of Emmanuel Owusu- Bonsu who is better known as Wanlov the Kubolor and M3nsa also known as Bondie Mensa Ansah are an unusual match to say the least. This vivacious duo is known for putting out rather controversial songs and their hit Gimmie Pinch did not disappoint. While bothRead…
The Trotro: A Ghanian Hip-hop artist’s take on the most important mode of transport in Ghana

Wanlov the Kubolor is a Ghanian-Romanian hip-hop /Afro-pop artist and film director. In Ghana and the larger diaspora, Wanlov the Kubolor is known for his independent style and revolutionary artistry. He is also no stranger to making social issues the center of his music. As noted in Msia Kibona Clark’s book Hip-Hop in Africa, hisRead…
Trotro or Metro..a Universal Struggle

Emmanuel Owusu-Bonsu better known as Wanlov the Kubolor (@wanlov on Instagram and Twitter) is arguably one of Ghana’s most unique hip-hop voices. He has made a career as a musician, film director, and influencer. He’s experienced great success and acclaim since the release of his debut album “Green Card” in 2007 which solidified his placeRead…