Representation of women in Ghanaian hip-life music by the media

Abstract

Popular Ghanaian hip-life music reflects mainstream attitudes, behaviors and perceptions. The study analyzed how women are represented in Ghanaian  hip-life music by employing qualitative research design and thematic analysis. The sample size for the study was twelve (12) songs and videos which were  in the media space from 2015 to 2020. The sampled songs and videos were derived from ‘Musixmatch’ and ‘Youtube’ respectively. The study  revealed sexual objectification of women, sexual aggressiveness toward women, name-calling and shaming of women, women as materialistic and  money - lovers and ownership of women by men. The study recommends that the Music Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) have a reviewing board to analyze  Ghanaian hip-life songs and videos critically and objectively to regulate content that normalizes misogyny and negative stereotypes against women.