Journalists perception of the communicativeness of selected Nigerian hip-hop contemporary songs: A Port Harcourt City survey

This study sought to ascertain the communicativeness of some top Nigerian hip-hop songs, as perceived by journalists practicing in Port Harcourt, bearing in mind the fact that music is a form of expressive communication. The study design was predominantly survey. Out of a population of 420, a sample size of 197 was drawn at a confidence level of 95% and a confidence interval of 5 using the sample size calculator. The questionnaire was the primary research instrument and it comprised 10 closed-ended and 6 open-ended questions. Administration of the questionnaire was through Research Assistants. The hit songs studied were purposively selected based on their popularity as manifested in the frequency and consistency of play in social gatherings. The consistency test of reliability showed a cumulative score of 81% and analysis was done using simple percentage and weighted mean score. For the hit songs under review, findings revealed a preponderance of rhythm over lyrics. Data further revealed that respondents could hardly tell the central themes/messages that underlie these hit songs. It was therefore recommended that the Nigerian hip-hop genre should be used to express ideals on cognate socio-cultural, socio-political and socio-economic issues with a view to providing a platform for concerted advocacy.   Key words: Communicativeness, hip-hop, journalists, music, themes.