Ghanaian Popular Music and Socio-Political Commentary: A Case Study of Barima Sidney

Abstract

This dissertation discusses the relationship between Ghanaian popular music and socio-political commentary. Its explore Hiplife music focusing on five selected songs of Barima Sidney. Based on a case study approach, the study employs qualitative methods of inquiry by drawing on intensive personal interviews, focused groups, archive and commercial music videos, journals, press cuts from the Internet, the social media as well as life-history method. The interpretation of song texts from these selected songs employs aspects of discourse analysis, sociolinguistics, and functions of song and song texts as suggested Merriam (1964). The study posits that because of its poetic nature Hiplife music has multiple meanings which could also serve as a social-politcal critique of the country. Focusing on Barima Sidney, this research contributes towards the development of methods in the studying of the biographies of musicians thus providing a deeper understanding of their musical skills, styles and impact on society, in this case contemporary Ghanaian society.