Language, Authenticity, and Hiplife Music in Accra

This article examines how the indigenization of language in hiplife becomes a marker of authenticity and, at the same time, a project of transnational commodification to "sell our culture". Recently, language and global marketability have become a focus of debate in the Ghanaian entertainment industry. Here, indigenization becomes central to how some Ghanaian performers want their music and identity to circulate globally. I argue that the global music industry can be regarded as an authenticating mechanism legitimizing musics in a way that can define the horizons of musical possibility in local contexts.
ABSTRACT IN GHANAIAN PIDGIN

De article dey examine how the indigenization of language for hiplife dey become marker of authenticity, wey at de same time e be transnational commodification project to "sell our culture". Recently, language den global marketability come turn focus of debate for the Ghanaian entertainment industry. For here, indigenization dey become central to de way Ghanaian artists dey want make dema music then identity go international. I dey argue say de global music industry be some authenticating mechanism wey e dey legitimize local music by de way e dey determine what be musically possible.