The Street Ideology: Sexual Contours in Nigerian Hip-Hop Music

Abstract

Nigerian hip-hop thrives on open discussion of sex and sexuality. Although it is generally viewed as unacceptable to engage in uninhibited sexual discussion or behaviour in Nigeria, especially where females are concerned, Nigerian female hip-hop artistes freely indulge in blatant sex-talk and overt sexual display in their music and videos. This study examines sexual ideologies in the lyrics of Nigerian female hip-hop artistes with the aim of teasing out the sex and sexual themes portrayed in relation to the prevailing Nigerian cultural attitude towards sex and sexuality. In this regard, ten song excerpts of seven Nigerian female hip-hop artistes are selected for analysis, using ideological strategies and an aspect of Halliday's systemic functional linguistics—the ideation function of language. The analysis reveals that the success of hip-hop music lies in its lyrical appeal to, and the existential representation of, the subculture of sex and sexuality of the artistes on the street. The study also notes the need for rethinking the concept of sexploitation since women themselves exploit sex (as reflected in their music) and their sexuality to wield power against male hegemony and dominance. On balance, the significance of survival, as a vital human instinct, comes to the fore; and this instinct, which is embodied in the street culture of sex and sexuality, can help the Nigerian female hip-hop artistes thrive in a music industry that operates in the context of male domination and a culture that discourages open expression of sex and sexuality.