In keeping with the theme of female rap artists that we have been discussing in class, I decided to analyze a song by the Ghanaian rapper Eno Barony. Born Ruth Nyame Adom on October 30th in Tema, she has become one of the most recognizable female voices in Ghanaian hip-hop. She first gained widespread attention after releasing her debut single “Wats Ma Name” and later appearing on the remix of Joey B’s song “Tonga” featuring Sarkodie in 2014. The remix brought her even greater recognition, and she was later recognized as the first Ghanaian female rapper to reach one million views on YouTube.

The song I chose to examine is “Hate,” featuring EL KoJo and J.Kobbi. The track was released on January 1, 2025, as part of her album “No Manual.” One of the first things that stands out about the song is the strong bassline and energetic beat. The beat reminds me of the type of New York drill music I usually listen to, which makes the track feel both familiar and powerful.

Lyrically, the song addresses several themes that are common in rap music: responding to critics and “haters,” confidence and resilience within the music industry, and competition among rappers to demonstrate lyrical skill. The song also includes social commentary about the jealousy and negativity that successful artists often face. These themes can be especially relevant for female rappers, who are working in a field that is still largely dominated by men. As a result, women in rap often have to work harder to prove their talent and legitimacy.

Considering Eno Barony’s own story and achievements, it is easy to imagine that criticism and challenges are not new experiences for her. Her success suggests that persistence and confidence have played a major role in her career. Musically, the song blends Twi, English, and Ghanaian Pidgin, reflecting the linguistic diversity of Ghana’s music scene. Overall, “Hate” is the kind of high-energy track that could easily motivate listeners, and something I could see myself adding to a gym playlist for an extra boost of confidence and energy.

You can listen here: https://open.spotify.com/track/4QkIXAGrQ8bmGaUbYm9QSl