Violence, Sexuality and Youth Linguistic Behaviour: An Exploration of Contemporary Nigerian Youth Music

Abstract

Most linguistic studies on Nigerian hip hop (NHH) are textual in orientation, focusing on language use in lyrics. However, the social manifestations of the genre have mainly been discussed from the sociological perspective, ignoring the linguistic influences on the youthful audience. With a focus on violence and sexuality, the present study combines qualitative and quantitative research methods in fulfilling its objectives. This involves the analysis of the linguistic presentation of violence and sexuality in 20 selected lyrics. In addition, a structured questionnaire and focus group discussions administered to students from a Nigerian university supplement the examination of the interactivity of Nigerian hip hop on communicative practices. Sexual and violent slang, expressions, and their graphic representations are rife in NHH and are also reflected in students’ communicative practises. While the relationship between NHH and youth linguistic behaviour may not be causal—revealing instead the democratisation of expressions within the Nigerian environment—it is observed that NHH is still influential in the linguistic expression of sexuality and violence among Nigerian university students.