LINGUISTIC FLUIDITY IN ASAKE’S “JOHA”: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF CODE SWITCHING IN HIP-HOP

Abstract

The study on " hip-hop Literacy: A Critical Analysis of Code Switching in Asake’s Musical Video – “Joha” explores the phenomenon of code-switching in hip-hop music, focusing on its role in expressing cultural identity, resistance, and societal critique. It examines the fusion of multiple languages in Nigerian hip-hop music to convey messages and project cultural values, highlighting the work of Asake and others. The study employs a sociolinguistic approach to analyze how Nigerian hip-hop artists use linguistic diversity to maintain global relevance while promoting their cultural heritage and addressing postcolonial identities. The study reveals that code-switching in hip-hop serves as an aesthetic choice, a resistance tool, and a way to engage both local and global audiences, reinforcing the genre's impact on literacy outside traditional educational contexts.