Sexually explicit music, hallmark of creativity?

The introduction of sexually explicit lyrics in the music industry worldwide as a tool or medium of sending messages to their targeted audience has reared its ugly head in the Ghana music industry.

It is said among well noted industry players that the music industry is set to educate, inform, entertain and reform the human race worldwide.


Leading musicians, who have made their mark in the industry, such as Kojo Antwi, Daddy Lumba, Pat Thomas and Amanzeba, have in the past years carved a niche of creating music which have content of sexually explicit words, but yet has been well thought through before bringing it out for the public consumption.


Arguably, the hottest song of the moment is “Tonga” by Joey B, featuring Sarkodie. The song has been very popular especially after its release in mid December.


The song has received some condemnations due to its lyrical content which seemingly smacks of some sexually explicit words.


While people are referring to the word “Tonga” in a metaphorical sense as representing the Vagina, the owner of the song, Joey B, says it is an acronym for “The Only Nice Girl Around”.

One of such examples which can be made out of such controversial music which has made history in the Ghanaian music industry is “Moses”, by A.B Crentsil, banned by the government during the 1970’s.


It can be said, the music as at the time was not given air play on the Ghanaian radio waves because of its suggestive words.


It was at the just launched Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) 2014 that it was announced that the organizers (Charter House) would be sponging out any music with sexually suggestive and explicitly music which made it during the year under review of the VGMA.


At the press launch of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2014, Mrs. Theresa Ayoade, who is the Executive Director of Charter House emphatically, said they would only reward music that is morally sound and they would reject every song that has sexually explicit or violent lyrics.


She added that their mandate is to endorse songs and it is the right thing to do in order to promote the industry.

When it comes to ‘Tonga’, there are two questions involved. Is the Board going to examine the lyrics literally for sexually explicit words to disqualify it or are they going to make inferences as the public is doing except Joey B?


Mrs. Ayoade didn’t just end there, she advised musicians to create radio edit songs to make it through the nominations.


What if the DJs play the “explicit” song from December till date and then an unknown lyrically edited version with its originality maintained, is entered tomorrow, is it going to be considered objectively over the unedited one for nomination?