Ghanaian rapper, Joseph Gamor, popularly known as Lyrical Joe, has revealed that artists who rap in English often face pressure to include local languages, particularly Twi, in their music.
The “5th August” rapper shared his experience with these common expectations in the Ghanaian music industry.
According to him, almost every Ghanaian rapper faces the pressure to include Ghanaian languages in their rap. “Well, from the beginning, you can never dodge that kind of pressure in Ghana here,” he said.
He explained that right from the start of his career, many people advised him to rap in Twi or, at the very least, simplify his lyrics.
“From the beginning, I had many people push that one on me. People said to me, ‘If you will not do the Twi, then you just break it down to pidgin. Let’s keep it pidgin and see because Ghanaians can cope with that’.”
Lyrical Joe
Lyrical Joe further noted that he had his own goals and vision for his music. He emphasized that he always had a clear idea of what he wanted to achieve with his rap.
The rapper questioned why people often expect him to rap in Twi without considering where he was coming from.
“People ask me why I won’t speak Twi in my song, they don’t ask me where I am from, whether I am Asante or not. That’s not the only local language in Ghana, so if you are forcing me to go there, then there’s a problem.”
Lyrical Joe
The pressure on Ghanaian rappers to rap in local dialects is a testament to the cultural pride and identity that music evokes. However, it is crucial to recognize that artistic expression should not be sacrificed at the altar of cultural representation.
By embracing linguistic diversity, Ghanaian hip-hop flourishes, allowing artists to explore their creativity while still honoring their roots.
Ultimately, the future of Ghanaian rap lies in its ability to adapt and evolve, celebrating the richness of its heritage while reaching for the stars in the global music arena.
Lyrical Joe on Why Rappers Avoid Beefing with Him
The Ghanaian rapper stated that some rappers avoid challenging him in a rap beef because of his intense style of music.
The rapper shared that his track record and lyrical style might not be the reason others are cautious when it comes to engaging him in lyrical battles.
Lyrical Joe pointed out that people may be hesitant to engage in lyrical battles with him because of the way he handles his verses.
“Maybe if anyone has a problem it’s because it’s because of what they’ve seen me do in the past or how I go about my rap verses and everything. If you come at me, we’ll go.”
Lyrical Joe
He emphasized that engaging him in rap beef is not something to take lightly, as he takes his craft seriously and always gives his all in every verse, whether it’s a diss song or a regular song.
According to him, some artists have complained about how intense his verses are.
“ I mean, you have to be ready. I wouldn’t lie and say that I haven’t had people complain about maybe me being too serious with my verses and things. I’ve had my verses cut off cyphers and things. I’ve had people tell me that I can’t do that thing for her.”
Lyrical Joe
He noted that his style of rap remains the same whether he is on a song alone or featured alongside other artists.
“I understand that, but I keep telling people that’s how I rap. Even if I’m on the song alone, that’s how I rap. So, if you don’t want that on your song, it’s fine.”
Lyrical Joe
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