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Celebrating Women Who Have Contributed To Hiplife

Tracing its roots to the 1970s, when legendary artist Gyedu-Blay Ambolley released his single “Simigwa-Do,” where he rapped over highlife/funk fusion, which many point to as one of the early times rap music was being heard on a Ghanaian song. 

Hiplife music is a blend of rap influenced by hip-hop music from the West and highlife, Kpanlogo, or Jama from Ghana, which has contributed immensely to putting Ghanaian music and the country on a global scale. 

Despite this early citation, the 1990s are regarded as the era in which hip-life music was officially introduced. Over time, different people would play different roles in not only shaping Hiplife as a genre but also amplifying it beyond the shores of Ghana, making it one of Africa’s biggest sounds that has its elements in today’s Afrobeats and Ghanaian Drill. 

Albeit a male-dominated genre, Hiplife’s documentation, even to what it is today, cannot be complete without recognizing and appreciating the women who contributed to the genre. From leading the line to playing the instrumental roles behind the scenes, there have been several generations of women who have and continue to push hiplife music.

As part of the genre’s thirty-year celebration, iMullar will be publishing a series of pieces documenting and celebrating different groups of people and their contributions to the genre. To set the ball rolling, we celebrate, in no particular order, some women who have paid their dues to hiplife.

Abrewa Nana (Wa Rushi Crushi)

Regarded by many as the first lady of female rap in Ghana, Abrewa Nana shot to fame in the early 2000s with her singles Odo Filla, Meda Emya Mu featuring Akosua Agyepong, and Wa Rushi Crushi. Her blend of ragga, rap, and singing has cemented her name and legacy as one of the most influential women in hip-life and the Ghanaian music industry.

Mzbel (Awoso Me)

Singing, rapping, style, and activism, Mzbel is celebrated not only for her contribution to hiplife but also for leading a charge for women in the industry that has been a blueprint for women in today’s space to be as expressive as they want to be with their music and style. Her song, 16 Years, was not only a hit record but also brought to light the dangers young women face at the hands of men who abuse them sexually. 

Yvonne Ohene – Djan “She” (Jaydee – Alampan)

For singers like She who have lived their lives contributing to the industry behind the scenes, they must be celebrated. As a backup singer, her voice has played a pivotal role in some of the biggest songs in the country, like Jaydee’s Alampan, Nkasei ft. Reggie Rockstone’s Edua Neb U, and other cross-genre songs.

Nana Ama (Akatakyie – Esi)

Just like She, Nana Ama is also one of the unsung heroes who paid her dues from behind the scenes. Her voice is on Akatakyie’s Esi and Lucky Mensah’s Agogie Baby, among many other hit records. 

Eazzy (Bo Wonsem Ma Me)

Her energetic and bubbly personality, coupled with her talent, made Eazzy one of the biggest players during a period in Ghana’s music history. Eazzy has cemented her name in the industry with multiple hit records, collaborations, and awards. 

Tiffany (Fake London Boy)

She is one of the most exciting women to have graced the music space with her talent. Her comic rap style, coupled with her catchy singing, won her a lot of attention and fans as she kept putting out back-to-back hit records and collaborations, including the global Azonto hit record with Fuse ODG. 

Lousika (Dis No Be Alo)

Currently a Queen Mother, Lousika was one of the faces of female rap in the industry. Her hit single “Boss Chick” put her on the map against her male counterparts. With female rappers being scarce at the time, she was one of the few still waving the rap flag for women. 

Eno Barony (Fear No Man)

From her days of battling people on Ghana’s biggest rap radio show, Kasahari Level, to dropping hit songs and winning the prestigious best rap performance category at the Ghana Music Awards, Eno Barony is regarded as not only a strong contender in Ghana’s rap industry but a current frontrunner as far as female rap is concerned. 

Written By Nana Kojo Mula.

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The iMullar is the voice of emerging African music and the lifestyle that surrounds it, showcasing exceptional talent from all around the globe focused on promoting the most distinctive new artists and original sounds, we are the authority on who is next.