This year has probably been the best year for me when it comes to Ghanaian music. I have been exposed to Ghanaian music on a whole different level than I had ever expected. From palm wine music all the way to hip hop. I have found myself, listening to different Ghanaian tracks on a loop. It’s safe to say Ghanaian music has taken me by surprise this year, and it’s totally worth it, since I have enjoyed every second of this ride.
Now to the matter at hand; it has indeed been an amazing year so far, and I am certain there are a few more tricks up 2017’s sleeves for the latter part of the year, when it comes to Ghanaian music. However, let’s take a second to appreciate the month of October, as it has been the month that has birthed the release of two of the hottest “hip hop” albums this year has had the chance to experience; AKAN’s Onipa Akoma, and KO-JO CUE & SHAKER’s Pen & Paper.
These two albums have made the month of October in 2017 one of the most memorable moments in Ghanaian music. One can’t help but wonder what happens when these two albums go toe to toe. Which would win the hip hop title for the month of October?
In the blue corner we have AKAN’s Onipa Akoma. AKAN with his Onipa Akoma, clearly did not come to play; this twi hip hop album (yeah, I said it!) is probably the hottest twi rap album I’ve had the chance to listen to. AKAN takes his listeners on a journey, as he not only raps, but tells a story with his elegant twi. Twi has never sounded this good on an album in a while (respect to the OGs who started this). AKAN with this album proves once and for all that twi hip hop is not only still possible, but a goldmine for great music.
And in the red corner we have KO-JO CUE and SHAKER’s Pen & Paper. Now this album has probably been one of the most anticipated albums in the history of Ghanaian music. This collaboration is what hip hop fans in Ghana have been waiting for; and our only complaint is probably why this didn’t happen earlier. CUE and SHAKER clearly decided not to hold back on Pen & Paper, and this reflects clearly through the album; particularly with the intro and the final track on the album. With amazing music videos for the songs Pen & Paper, and Untitled, both found on the album, their message is clear. Rap is back, and they are here to stay… As “leaders of the new school”.
So now the match is set, and the ring is ready for the hip hop beat-down. Will KO-JO CUE and SHAKER remain standing as the leaders of the new school? Will AKAN reign as the Head Chief of the “new school”? Or will these two sides usher Ghanaian rap and Ghanaian hip hop to a whole new era like we’ve never seen?
We look forward to finding out.
GH HIP HOP BATTLES: ONIPA AKOMA vs PEN & PAPER
These two albums have made the month of October in 2017 one of the most memorable moments in Ghanaian music. One can’t help but wonder what happens when these two albums go toe to toe. Which would win the hip hop title for the month of October?
[* Shield plugin marked this comment as “trash”. Reason: Failed GASP Bot Filter Test (checkbox) *]
3.5
[* Shield plugin marked this comment as “trash”. Reason: Failed GASP Bot Filter Test (checkbox) *]
5
[* Shield plugin marked this comment as “trash”. Reason: Failed GASP Bot Filter Test (checkbox) *]
2