Ghanaian musician D-Black has opened up about how music legend Reggie Rockstone inspired him to transition from rapping in English to using the local dialect, Twi.
According to the rapper, he initially struggled to rap in Twi, a challenge that was overcome when Reggie Rockstone, a pioneer of Ghanaian rap, encouraged him to give it a try. “Reggie asked me if I would want someone to help me write my rap in Twi, but I said no, I’ll do it myself,” D-Black shared.
The change began with D-Black incorporating Pidgin into his music, eventually leading to him embracing Twi in his raps. This breakthrough became evident in his hit song “Vera,” where he successfully merged both Pidgin and Twi to create a unique sound.
When asked how switching to local dialects has impacted his career, the rapper was enthusiastic in his answer.
“It has really helped me. It gave my music a more authentic feel and connected me better with my audience.”
D-Black
D-Black also shared that he learned to speak Twi while in Senior High School, revealing that his upbringing played a role in his initial struggle with the language. “My father was half British, half Ghanaian, and my mother is fully Ghanaian, but we only spoke English at home,” he explained.
It was during his time at Pojoss, a senior high school, that he began to pick up Twi, gaining confidence to incorporate it into his music.
D-Black revealed that he was Reggie Rockstone’s road manager for several years before venturing into the music scene himself. The experience, he says, played a pivotal role in his development as an artist.
D-Black’s transition to using Twi in his raps, inspired by Reggie Rockstone’s mentorship, has undoubtedly contributed to his success in the Ghanaian music industry, where blending local dialects with rap has become a celebrated trend.
D-Black Dispels Pimp Speculations
The popular rapper and entrepreneur shot down speculations that he is involved in pimping under the guise of is nightclub.
The owner of the Oasis Pool and Shisha Lounge in Accra, when asked about his alleged involvement in pimping ladies, bolding stated, “It’s not possible. There’s nothing lucrative about being a pimp in Ghana.”
D-Black went on to explain that his involvement in the businesses is due to his passion for hospitality.
“I have a club, a lounge, and a restaurant. I love hospitality. It’s just a business that I love and enjoy, and I’m very passionate about it. Music was a talent I had, and I was passionate about hospitality.
“So I’m in this business because I love it. It has been able to take care of me and my family and everybody around me for so many years, and that’s the only reason I do it.”
D-Black
He also cited how his mother had been involved in the hospitality sector throughout her working life and how he was just following in her footsteps. “That’s what my mother did for 30 years straight,” he added.
Moreover, the rapper revealed his top predictions for which artist would win this year’s edition of the Telecel Ghana Music Awards.
According to D-Black, three artists out of the nominees stand out for him, namely King Promise, King Paluta and Stonebwoy.
While he refused to pick an ultimate possible winner among the three, he explained why each stood a chance in winning the award, highlighting their stronghold in their performances over the last year.
Starting from King Paluta, he noted that he has been able to penetrate the local market heavily with about three big songs, even though he doesn’t have much international presence.
Meanwhile, D-Black thinks Stonebwoy also has the potential to win again this year, with King Promise an equally strong contender.
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