Renowned sound engineer, Fred Kyei Mensah has observed that what sets Obrafour apart in history and among his mates was that he was the first to bring the proverbs and culture of the palace into [rap] music and made it popular.
Critiquing Obrafour’s catalog, however, Fred Kyei Mensah noticed that a number of his songs seemed to sound the same in structure and other respects, although it’s normal.
“While Obrafour utilized the ‘wisdom of the elders’, the new crop of musicians comes with more childish fun, the wisdom of the elders, and other things mixed. The mixture is scary. Even though the new artists pay much respect to Obrafour and Sarkodie, they will take over, as it is the natural progression of life and also due to their advancement in music.”
Fred Kyei Mensah
Fred Kyei Mensah explained by noting how he undoubtedly was once a force to be reckoned with and still had the experience but is not the best among sound engineers in certain areas today.
He admitted that record producer Sha would beat him a hundred percent if both of them were to play the keyboard live but he [Fred Kyei Mensah] may beat him in overall experience and perhaps mixing.
“I’ve trained many producers including Appietus and Jay Q and judging from my age, I can never create the number of hits they have. My solace is, at least, they came from my stock. They beat me in some key areas because a servant can become a master.”
Fred Kyei Mensah
Reiterating his earlier notion, he said: “Obrafour and Sarkodie are reigning as they deserve, but they should prepare for the likes of Amerado, Strongman, [and others]. They are dangerous and they are going to take over whether they like it or not. That’s how the system is.”
No one rules forever, he noted, recalling how his iconic Fredyma Studios, now located at Pokuase, used to be flooded with clients from the music and advertisement industries but times have changed.
Advocating self-awareness and humility, he tipped his hat to sound engineers, Sami Helwani and Zapp Mallet, stating that he respects them a lot.
“Zapp plays all instruments, he mixes, sings, and does multiple other things. On the other hand, Sami Helwani has profound experience with live music recordings for stadiums, etc. I know how to do it but he beats me in that area. Everyone has their strengths.
“I mean, Sami doesn’t play instruments, I do. So I’d certainly have the upper hand there but when it comes to live productions, I salute Sami Helwani, and that’s how the job is. So Obrafour and Sarkodie should watch out, not just for Amerado, Strongman, and the others but even for kids who are now trying to find their feet.”
Fred Kyei Mensah
Amerado, Strongman; Dangerous Lyricists
Fred Kyei Mensah mentioned Amerado and Strongman as Sarkodie’s strongest competitors in the rap world.
Nicknamed Fredyma, the same name for his iconic recording studio currently in Pokuase, revealed that Sarkodie should watch out for them [Amerado and Strongman] because they’re ‘poisonous cobras’.
“I’ve carefully examined and decoded their lyricism and all. They are more than cobras – dangerous guys. Amerado and Strongman, Ghana should watch out for them.”
Fred Kyei Mensah
According to the award-winning entertainment pundit, the leverage Sarkodie has over these two is his fast-paced rap.
“But when it comes to writing lyrics, chale, these guys are dangerous. Their wordsmithing and thinking up is amazing. I love listening to such artists – Eno Barony and others included”.
Fred Kyei Mensah
Looking at other nominees for the 2024 Telecel Ghana Music Awards’ Best Rap Performance, he noted how good Lyrical Joe is even though he mostly raps in English and how captivating Medikal’s rap is.
The legendary music producer, however, stressed that Amerado and Strongman are superior in their rap poetry.
Last year, Amerado was pronounced the Best Rap Performance winner at the Ghana Music Awards.
About six months later, he released the biggest song of his career: Kwaku Ananse. He later released a remix with Fameye (Peter) and followed that up with ‘Abronoma’ (Pigeon).
Strongman, a perpetual nominee, is yet to win the Best Rap accolade.
Fred Kyei Mensah observed that he [Strongman] was the first rap act to earn four consecutive nominations in the rap category.
“Right now, the award is given based on the decision of the [Ghana Music Awards] board so it is not about the fans [voting] anymore, and honestly, I don’t really care that much, it is not taking anything away from me. Awards don’t affect my music; I drop and I still see the results.”
Fred Kyei Mensah
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