Summary

HipCo music is a genre of hip hop from Liberia with its stylistic origin from Hip pop, a popular American rap music genre

Influences
JosplayExplore Hipco on Josplay Music
HistoryKolokwa rap which has been in existence in Gbema music during the 1980s was rebranded to Hipco music in the early 2000s. This rebranding was championed by late DJ SummerTime and MC Switch. Hipco is a Liberian style of rap music that involves the use of the Kolokwa slang, a blend of English and 15 native languages. The “co” in Hipco represents the Kolokwa language used in the genre. This genre of music which became popular in the 2000s, has been in recent years, the most popular Liberian genre. Hipco's theme centers around political and societal issues, with artists using the genre as a platform to address and challenge these topics. UNICEF has sought the services of hipco artists in creating awareness about viral diseases like Ebola.
The genre was started and popularized by artists like Henry Amazin Toe, Takun-J, and Nassimen as early as 2003.
The locally based civil society in Liberia known as  Accountability Lab Liberia has introduced a talent hunt program to discover upcoming Hipco artists called Rap2Rep. Apart from being a talent discovery campaign, it is also a platform for the inclusion of youth voices in nation-building.
Elements 
Form and Style

Hipco is fundamentally a rap genre, known for its strong emphasis on lyricism and storytelling

Singing Style

In Hipco, singing style is often characterized by a strong emphasis on rap and spoken-word delivery. Because it is a rap genre, artists focus on delivering their messages through rhythmic and poetic verses, making lyricism the central element

Theme

Like other hip-pop scenes across the globe in terms of its message, hipco emerging in the 1980s, speaks to the issues of young people in Liberia’s urban areas, specifically Monrovia. Its themes are bent towards social and political commentary.

Culture

The genre draws heavily from hip-hop culture. This includes rap styles, spoken-word delivery, and the use of hip-hop beats. The global influence of hip-hop, particularly from the United States, has significantly shaped the musical and lyrical aspects of Hipco.

Timbre

Arrangement