Hipco
Liberian rap music genre
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hipco, also referred to as HipCo or just 'Co, is a genre of hip hop from Liberia. It has been described by The Guardian as Liberia's "unique musical style" using "vernacular speech and political messages."[1]
History
Rap and pop music are also performed in indigenous languages across the country, with a generation of artists creating their own style of uniquely Liberian rap music called Hipco (or "'Co"). Hipco is usually performed in Liberian English or the local vernacular, using the style of communication with which Liberians speak and relate to each other. Hipco evolved in the 1980s and has always had a social and political bent. In the 1990s, it continued to develop through multiple civil conflicts, and today stands as a definitive mark of Liberian culture.[2][3] Hipco music became popular in 2000. As of 2017, it was the popular music genre of Liberia, "serving as the medium through which rappers speak against societal ills, including injustice and corruption."[4]
The "'co" in the genre is short of the Liberian dialect Kolokwa, which according to the Washington Post, "the Liberian underclass has been improvising since the early 19th century, blending the English brought by 19,000 ex-slaves with words from about 15 native tongues to attain a soft-sounding patois. Kolokwa is 99 percent an oral language — as yet, there is not a single full book in the dialect — and it is all but incomprehensible to the American ear. In Liberia, the cultural elite has long shunned it as lowbrow. Which means that when Hipco artists inject a few choice snatches of Kolokwa into otherwise English lyrics, their words have political zing."[5][6] According to the Washington Post, "HipCo is to Liberia as jazz is to the United States." In 2017, Liberian historian C. Patrick Burrows stated "we're on the verge of a renaissance. HipCo is at the leading edge of it."[5]
Social commentary
Hipco through local rhythms and casual language creates a medium for ideas to be spread. Hipco artist occasionally work in association with local and international organizations to promote social and political issues.
In 2013, Takun J worked in collaboration with PCI Media to create a campaign against rape called "Song for Hawa". Takun J sought to bring public awareness on the prominent issue that had arose during the countries civil wars. According to Time Magazine, "between 60% and 90% of all Liberian women were raped"[7]. Due to his contributions, the Liberian government appointed Takun J as the country's Anti-Rape Ambassador. The campaigns effectiveness is unclear as most rapes in Liberia go unreported. However, while the amount of reported rapes decreased significantly, it is unclear the campaigns influence since the Ebola outbreak may have also been a factor.[8]
UNICEF has worked with Hipco artists to release hipco songs on Ebola prevention, with several of the songs becoming popular on radio in the country in 2014.[9] One prominent song is known as "Ebola is real" by Queen Juli Endee. The song had a similar rhythm to a song from the 1980s known as "Sweet Liberia" in order to appeal to older listeners. The lyrics in this song are focused to bring knowledge and truth about the Ebola outbreak and preventive measures.[10] To spread her message about the Ebola virus Endee rerecorded her song in various languages spoken in nearby affected countries.
In 2020, Takun J, DenG, Sundaygar Dearboy, Tan Tan, Soul Smiter, Odamz, and Amaze recorded the Hipco song "Sanitize". The artists released the song in order to raise awareness about COVID-19 and encourage Liberians to practice good hygiene.[11]
In December 2025, the Musicians Union of Liberia (MULIB) concluded the first attempt of its nationwide anti-drug awareness initiative titled "Say No to Illicit Drugs and Substance Abuse". The campaign featured prominent artist such as the Hipco star Takun J.[12] The multiple artists traveled to drug ghettos throughout the country to preform for young audiences and advocate against drug abuse.
Musical style
Hipco uses a unique music style that is usually a combination of standard hip-hop and local Liberian rhythms. Like most standard hip-hop music hipco primarily operates with a 4/4 framework with backbeats, bass, and drumming supporting the lyrics[13]. Hipco blends the standard hip-hop format with the differing Liberian adaptation. This combination results in common hip-hop template with distinct Liberian language and cultural elements. Hipco relies strongly on its rhythmic density, speech phrasing, repetition, and interaction. Instead of a flowing harmony hipco focuses mainly and the beat and artists lyrics. Lyrics are commonly delivered in the creole language known as Kolokwa through rhythmic speaking. Kolokwa is a mixture of English and local languages. The resulting music is a global hip-hop rhythm with the oral arts and performance of Liberian culture. Hipco music that has a mix of American trap music into the production is a differing genre known as trapco.[14]
Artists
Prominent artists
Among high-profile hipco artists are Takun J, Christoph the Change, MC Caro and Bucky Raw.[15][16][17]
Takun J (Jonathan Koffa):
Takun J is one of the first popular hipco artist in Liberia. His first single was released in 2005 and named "We'll Spay You". Since then he has committed to releasing music which stands for what he believes as the truth.[18]
Christoph the Change:
Christoph the Change is a popular hipco artist who mixes styles to create his music. Christoph uses an African American hip-hop style in his music but also raps in the local language of Koloqua.[19] Christoph is the first Liberian artist to completely fill the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex, selling over thirty-thousand seats.[20]
MC Caro:
MC Caro started her music career in 1996, however, she gained lots of popularity from her freestyle "Pro Poor". Caro focuses primarily on the social and political issues, including the lack of opportunity for children in Liberia.[21]
Bucky Raw:
Bucky Raw focuses his music on government corruption and the Liberian civil war. Bucky was a young refugee during the civil war who eventually made his way to America. He notes American hip-hop stars such as Tupac as large inspirations for him.[22]
The Liberia Music Awards have a Hipco Artist of the Year category.[23] The Liberian Entertainment Awards do as well.