Comparative Study of Literary Features in selected Traditional Apala and Contemporary Afro Hip-Hop Music
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Date
2025-12
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Lead City University Ibadan
Abstract
There is a widespread misconception that contemporary music, particularly Afro Hip-Hop, lacks literary and moral depth, and traditional genres like Apala are widely acknowledged as rich in oral literature and cultural wisdom. This bias has led to an academic gap where Apala is frequently studied for its proverbs, historical allusions, and didactic themes, while Hip-Hop is often dismissed as purely entertainment-driven. However, both genres function as vehicles for oral literature, using storytelling, symbolism, and rhythmic patterns to convey messages about resilience and perseverance, identity, and moral responsibility. Hip-Hop, much like Apala, employs rhythm, repetition, call-and-response, and figurative language to address
contemporary societal issues, yet its contributions to oral literature remain underexplored. Drawing on three selected songs from each genre, the research explores the identification of literary features present in Apala and Hip-hop lyrics; the thematic preoccupations and cultural significances conveyed through these musical forms; and the similarities and differences in the artistic portrayal of African cultural beliefs. This study seeks to fill the gap by comparing the literary features in the selected Apala and Hip-Hop tracks, demonstrating how both genres serve as tools for cultural expression, moral instruction, and social commentary. By examining their thematic concerns, differences and similarities in literary devices deployed
by the artists and, and storytelling methods, the research highlights the continuity of oral literary traditions across generations, reinforcing the idea that Hip-Hop, like Apala, carries important moral lessons and reflects the socio-cultural realities of its time.
Keywords: Features, Comparative, Traditional Apala, Contemporary, Afro Hip-Hop, Themes, Cultural Significance, Literary Devices, Figures of Speech.
Word Count: 220
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Keywords
Features, Comparative, Traditional Apala, Contemporary, Afro Hip-Hop, Themes, Cultural Significance, Literary Devices, Figures of Speech.
Citation
Kate Turabian