Identity in Nigerian hip-hop music

Authors

  • Temitope Michael Ajayi Department of Linguistics and African Languages, University of Ibadan, NIGERIA
  • Oluwatunmise Omoniyi Olupona School of Humanites and Communication Arts, Western Sydney University, Sydney, AUSTRALIA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58881/jlps.v5i1.147

Keywords:

identity, marketing strategies, Nigerian hip-hop, cultural authenticity, street credibility

Abstract

Nigerian hip hop music genre has been explored with different thematic foci. However, not much attention has been given to how hip-hop artistes in the country create and project different identities for themselves through the ideologies expressed in their songs. This study, therefore, within the purview of Critical Discourse Analysis, investigates how hip-hop artistes in Nigeria create and exhibit different identities through the ideological orientations displayed in their songs. Findings reveal Nigerian hip hop artistes, through their lyrics, create and project themselves as theists, custodians of culture, and a people with a rich linguistic repertoire.

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Discography

Harrysong, Olamide, Kcee, & Iyanya. (2015). Reggae blues [Song]. Boomplay. https://www.boomplay.com/songs/187413

Lil Kesh. (2016). Semilore [Song]. https://www.lyrics.cat/lyrics+lil+kesh+of+semilore

Olamide. (2014). Eleda mi o [Song]. https://www.jiosaavn.com/song/eleda-mi-o/CgVddB4IfFw

Savage, T. (2013). Olorun mi [Song]. https://genius.com/Tiwa-savage-olorun-mi-lyrics

ice, & Asa. (2012). Pete pete [Song]. https://topnaija.ng/9ice-feat-asa-pete-pete/

Published

2026-04-05

How to Cite

Ajayi, T. M., & Olupona, O. O. (2026). Identity in Nigerian hip-hop music. Journal of Language and Pragmatics Studies, 5(1), 11–21. https://doi.org/10.58881/jlps.v5i1.147

Issue

Section

Articles