22Sep
African Women across the diaspora continue to influence the Hip Hop industry despite experiencing prejudice. African women hip hop artists play a huge role in creating the culture. However, in a male dominated industry, women often face discrimination and prejudice not receiving the respect they deserve. However, this topic reflects the movement of women empowerment in the music industry. It is a direct challenge to the existing patriarchy and sexism and reminds women that they are greater and more powerful than their challenges. Additionally, these women are using their rap to share their truths. It is a form of storytelling to express the experiences that shape their identity and inspiration that influence their actions. African women continue to challenge the status quo, often elevating the creative landscape of the hip hop music industry. Through this mix tape I hope to pay homage to all of the African women in the Hip Hop industry who continue to use their platform for change.
Eno Barony - "Wats Ma Name" & "Tonga"
Ruth Eno Adjoa Amankwah Nyame Adom (born 30 October 1991), known professionally by her stage name Eno Barony, is a Ghanaian rapper and songwriter. Born in Tema, Accra, she released her debut single, "Wats Ma Name" and also "Tonga", the remix of the track "Tonga" by Joey B ft Sarkodie in 2014 that lifted her into the limelight. It was claimed she was the first female rapper to hit a million views on YouTube.
Even though she had previously recorded other singles, Eno came to wider attention when she released her first single, "Tonga", in 2014, which received commercial airplay. She later recorded more songs including "Megye Wo Boy" in 2015, on which she collaborated with Abrewa Nana. In 2015, her mother died. After several months of mourning, she broke the silence with hip hop song titled "The Best" with multiple award-winning Togolese artiste and Brand Ambassador for Togocel, Mic Flammez. She recorded a single, "Daawa", with Shatta Wale in 2016. The same year, she collaborated with rapper Kwaw Kese on a single called "GARI". She also collaborated on two other singles, "Touch the Body" with Stonebwoy, and "King of Queens" with Medikal. In 2017, she released a song titled "Juice Me" followed by another single with Ebony Reigns, titled "Obiaa Ba Ny3".
Simi – Woman
The first song featured on the mixtape is Simi, a Nigerian singer, and rapper. Simi’s single “Women” is a song about uplifting women as well as calling out the institutionalized barriers that oppress them. In the song, Simi highlights the unequal and unjust treatment that African women face and calls for the reform of an equitable system. In the song, Simi states “Suffer suffer for the world (amen), Enjoy for heaven But, you no pay attention oh To the intimidation she dey face.” Here Simi reflects on the neglect that African women often face in society. In many cases, the needs and concerns of women are rarely met or accommodated. Simi, as an artist, is recognized for her impactful music and detailed music videos that often convey her message.
Oshun – Blessings on Blessings
The Next song featured on the mixtape is Oshun’s Blessings on Blessings. The music group Oshun is a music group composed of two artists Niambi Sala and Thandiwe. Both Nigerian American, Oshun makes raps that allude to their Yuroba heritage. Their latest single Blessings on Blessings is considered their female anthem single on their album as it highlights the glory and blessing that women are in the lives of many. In the song, Oshun pays homage to Nigerian mothers and grandmothers accrediting their success to the sacrifice of the women in their lives. Oshun exemplifies the power of their grandmothers stating “Great-grandma died of Alzheimer’s But she knew the kid, Only 2 years old, standing by her at the bed. First time meeting, but she reached out for my head, On my birthday I died, but I came back from the dead.” Oshun uses death and rebirth as a motif throughout the song to signify the power of women and their never-ending cycle of change and achieving greatness.
Sa-Roc – Forever
The third song featured on the mixtape is Sa-Roc’s Forever. In her latest hit, Sa- Roc, challenges the beauty standards that are placed on women and pushes back against Eurocentric ideals of beauty. The song “Forever carries an empowering message “No, I’m not flawless. I’m scarred up, and I’m fine with it.” Sa- Roc encourages women to embody and love their natural beauty regarding its as the best way to “stay woke.”
Roberto – African Women
Roberto is a Singer, songwriter, and radio personality. In his latest rap song, “African Women” Robert praises African women with admiration and respect. Roberto acknowledges the beauty of their skin and the richness of their culture. This is an indirect contrast to the stereotypes and negative tropes often projected on African women. Roberto’s song is a love letter to African Women and calls for everyone to embrace their beauty stating “Bless that African woman, rich skin tone my woman, True Africa proud woman, rise African woman.”
Sister Fa - Hip Hop Yaw Law
Sister Fa (real name Fatou Diatta, born 1982 in Dakar, Senegal) is a Senegalese rapper and anti-female genital mutilation (FGM) activist. Diatta began her career as a rapper in 2000, when she made her first demo tape. The following year, she performed at the Senegal Hip Hop Awards. In 2005, she released her first album, Hip Hop Yaw Law Fal. In 2008, she toured Senegal to raise awareness of the problem of FGM. In 2009, she released her international debut album Sarabah: Tales From the Flipside of Paradise. In 2011, Sarabah, a documentary about Diatta's tour Education Sans Excision (French for Education without Cutting), premiered at the human rights festival Movies That Matter.
Hip Hop the genre itself was created by African Americans during the early 1970s in Bronx New York. African Hip-hop and Rap has also women or girls like rapper. They begun Rap in 1980 in south Africa and west Africa. Now we have Siter Fa from Senegal. Eno Barony of Ghana and many others.. Most of the woman rapper were rejected in the society cause of the image of the movement Rap in the World. But now African understand that Rap is bringing education and love from reel and wise rappers.
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