Ghana, Sierra Leone get versions of This Is America

One of the first versions was by the Nigerian artist Falz. His popular video for ‘This Is Nigeria’ has invited both praise and criticism. And days after its release, a Muslim organisation threatened legal action if Falz’s video was not taken down for disrespecting parts of it showing girls in hijabs dancing. The artist and his team have said the video will remain.

No similar threats so far for artists from Ghana and Sierra Leone, both of which have now gotten localised versions of 'This Is America' from a popular acts.

'Dis Be Ghana' was recorded by Wanlov the Kubolor, half of the duo Fokn Bois. Partly sung in Ghanaian pidgin, the song mocks religion and homophobia. "Murder is a sin we say say gay is a sin but we wan murder gays f*ck outta here," he sings.

Several fans on Twitter had asked the rapper for a Ghana version. Initially reluctant, Wanlov appears to have grudgingly relented as his song mocks fans for asking for an imitation of the Childish Gambino song on the song itself. "Donald Glover n Falz talk d same tin / U say mek we copy / E go make tins better / Stop being unique, just be a fotocopier." [Glover is the real name of Childish Gambino.]

The Sierra Leone version is also sung in pidgin. Like the video for the original song, Drizilik’s ‘This Is Sierra Leone’ comments on socio-political issues, including dishonest footballer ages.

“Drizilik’s version 'This is Sierra Leone' is full of Freetown slang, with references only Freetonians will understand,” Sierra Leonean journalist Esther Kamara says. “Most of the lyrics are in Krio, the official language in Sierra Leone, making it rather difficult for non-Sierra Leoneans to get the lyrics.”

Drizilik told Music In Africa that his version was also the result of fans taking to social media to ask for a ‘This Is Sierra Leone’ song. “It’s for Sierra Leoneans, and this is how the inspiration came to me,” he said.