Abstract:
This study was conceived with the intention of studying the influence of Naija Hip-Hop Music on the general well-being of the Nigerian youths. Naija hip-hop music is regarded as the new Nigerian music heritage and it’s a brand of music that have caught the fancy of young people in Nigerian. The study argued that the Naija hip-hop music has power to influence the Nigerian youths both positively and negatively. The study has documented the various way by which the Naija hip-hop music has influence the Nigerian youths. Since this study is qualitative in nature, the study engaged the interview and focus group discussion methods in gathering data for this study and employed the descriptive method in analysing the primary data from the field. In line with the stated objectives for this study, the following findings were made. Firstly, that many Nigerians love and appreciate the Naija hip-hop music as one major Nigerian music that has not only increased creativity among young people, but has helped them in learning how to create music that truly represent their cultures. Secondly, the study finds out that Naija hip-hop music has attained a global height that has positively impacted on the national and economic development of the Nigerian society. Thirdly, the study finds out that the musical and video contents of many Naija hip-hop music contain contents that have systematically altering the world view and behaviour of the young people. The fashion sense and the inordinate desire to make money and get rich without stress promoted by many hip-hop musicians are serious contents that have influenced the youths negatively. Fourthly, the study finds out that through the musical and video contents of many Naija hip-hop musicians, many young people have learnt many social vices that have do not only affected their general well-being but, the Nigeria social structures and values as well. Lastly, study finds out that the censoring of the musical and video contents before they are released to the public space is one major way to check the negative contents in the Naija hip-hop music. The study recommends that more studies should be done in this regard to help the Nigerian populace become more aware that music has both positive and negative power that can either make or mare them.
