The Influence of Popular Music Among the Youth of Ngleshie Amanfro, Accra.

ABSTRACT

Music can influence people’s culture and identities. Daily the Ghanaian youth listen to different types of music such as gospel, highlife, hip-life, jazz, reggae, hip-pop and rock. How do these diverse musical exposures affect their behavior, lifestyle and dress code? This study discussed the influence of popular music on the youth in the locality of Ngleshie Amanfro, Accra. The researcher specifically focused on gospel music, hip-life music (rap) and reggae music. The study also examined the impact that the lyrical content of these genres has on listeners, and the type of audience and the context in which these music forms are performed or disseminated.

 It also investigated the various effects gospel, hip-life and reggae had on the behaviour, aspirations and fashions on the youthful audiences as well as impact the performers of these three genres made on them as role models. Qualitative data was collected through interviews with the help of an interview guide and observation. Relevant audiences and performers of the three genres under discussion were also sampled and interviewed for information about the influence of this music’s on the youth. Comparisons were then being made between the impacts on the youth of these three different forms of music.