April 26, 2016
“If music and creativity is not inspired, it will lose steam and fall flat,” said local hip-hop rapper, M.anifest, to members of the African Philosophy Class.
In what was the final session of the class, the award winning rapper alongside fellow hip-hop rapper and music producer, Jayso, joined the session to give students first hand perspectives of the local hip-hop industry.
“As part of our African Philosophical Thought class, we end the course by looking at some of the ideas and philosophies that can be discerned from hip-hop and hip-life music, lyrics and lifestyles,” said Kobby Graham, lecturer of the class. “Interesting questions and themes always come up – things like social justice, wealth distribution, and gender issues, for example. It makes sense to pose those questions directly to artistes willing to come up to Ashesi and engage with the community.”
As part of the session, students and other members of the community had a chance to interact with the artistes about the music industry in Ghana and the growth and role of hip-hop in the industry.
On his growth as a rapper and lyricist, M.anifest shared the importance of communicating effectively with his audience. “Being an artiste or a musician in general, song writing means communication,” he said. “I am much more of an effective communicator now. I have had to develop a better sense of being able to say more complex things in simpler ways.”
Jayso also touched on the need for music to be used as a tool for making impact. “Music should be used for more than just entertainment,” he said. “We need to be careful as musicians about what we are saying and the message we’re putting across. We are more like servants; we’re supposed to serve the people.”
As part of the session, some of the students led a presentation on the local hip-hop industry, and also shared their views on its relevance in the country.
“There is a lot more to their art than people think but they are rarely asked about it,” added Kobby Graham. “The in-class analysis in an academic space like Ashesi always makes for great class discussion. I won’t lie: it’s also a fun way to end the course!”
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