Ghanaian rappers to watch out for

Ghana’s hip-hop scene is exploding at the seams with groovy artists, all the way from its headliners, Rap King’s and Queens, to the underground, it’s brimming with young, fast-growing talent.

An inauspicious reality for Ghanaian rappers is that access to career-fostering platforms is in short supply. Very few African acts get their big break to the industry (first) and beyond, without external help. Although, the Internet has helped to break some edges that African rappers often encounter.

To get their break, some artists pursue record deals with some of the top artist. Others bury themselves in work over the long African system, writing song after song searching for a hit.

Accra is a popular destination for market testing, networking and inspiration during the bleak of some big radio personalities and music promoters, but once spring strikes it’s full blast in the city. Projects drop, club nights get booked, openers are sealed for big outdoor festivals. Ghana’s art scene comes alive in the night time.

It’s still a great place to be for budding talent, working with people from a myriad of different cultures, backgrounds, tastes and goals. The one thing Ghana’s hip-hop scene lacks is proper exposure to a bigger audience that goes beyond the city itself.

You can walk down the street and get recognized as a “big” Ghana artist locally, downtown, but once you veer away from home, your name may not carry as much weight, let alone recognition.

With that in mind, here are some rappers from Ghana we think you should earmark for bigger things. This list is by no means rigorous, but serves as a taste test of what Ghana’s vibrant hip-hop scene has to offer. We’ll be checking back in to offer the same sort of glimpse at the countries equally-thriving r’n’b scene, so be sure to look out for that fellow traveler list shortly.

Please note: before you get all riled up in the comments, we avoided including acts such as AMG Musik, BBNZ Music and 653808 Records DK, as much as we love them, simply because they’ve already been able to broach fame far beyond Ghana. It’s still a great place to be for budding talent, working with people from a myriad of different cultures, backgrounds, tastes and goals.

The one thing Ghana’s hip-hop scene lacks is proper exposure to a bigger audience that goes beyond the city itself. You can walk down the street and get recognized as a “big” Ghana artist locally, downtown, but once you veer away from home, your name may not carry as much weight, let alone recognition.

AKAN

AKAN who comes from Lapaz, a suburb of Accra – Ghana got huge command on his lyrics and giving you a deep dive into the lyrical world…

With an identity of strong cultural values and authenticity, it is an evidence in in his work, his subject matter, heavy language content, blended with modern beats and rhythms… his E.P is a full package of positive vibes and an assurance of a colourful future. It is just to say that he is up and coming but surely, he is here to cause a stir.





Koo Ntakra

Koforidua was charged up over the weekend when rapper Koo Ntakra officially launched his second studio album titled ‘KOK’ in the Eastern region capital.

The ‘King of Kofcity’ crooner together with some big shot names in the game including Yaa Pono and D Cryme brought the streets of Koforidua old estate to a standstill for over six (6) hours of non-stop musical experience at the popular Dadi’s bar enclave.

Other arts including female rapper, Eno, uprising dancehall diva Renner, Piease, Danso Abiam, Tee Ryme, Amerado, Talanku, amongst over 20 artists drawn from the eastern, central and greater Accra regions also graced the stage to celebrate with their brother.

Koo Ntakra took to the stage in three separate appearance on the night, performing all the 17songs that make up the ‘KOK’ album, as well performed together on the same stage songs like ‘Stronger’ with Kay Spunky, ‘Had I known’ with D Cryme and ‘Girls’ with Yaa Pono for the first time to the admiration of the over five thousand charged crowd gathered at the open venue.

Just an hour to the start of the event, the heavens opened heavily for almost 45minutes but the rains could not deter the anxious Koforidua crowd who has waited all these years to celebrate with the Eastern Music Artist and Rapper of the year winner.

Koo Ntakra’s ‘KOK’ Album went online exclusively on the same night on the aftown music app for purchase, streaming and download. And will be made available worldwide across most music digital shops by Ignite Creatives in the coming week.





Bogo Blay

Bogo Blay is a young Ghanaian rapper with strong punches and a style you want expect and even think about it. Allahumdulilya.

Amerado

Amerado has successfully released his début EP titled ‘RapMare’ on the 25th of November 2017 and it’s finally available for download and free stream. The EP got launched in a grand style in Kumasi and brought together most of the known rap artistes in Kumasi and Accra. Ghana has accepted his approach to the HipHop culture and has approved of his “Beast” approach to rap music.

He has released a long list of singles which include the mind-blowing “I AM” which got most celebrities and industry players commending him for that level of creativity. He has appeared on many Freestyle competitions and worked with some celebrities on some of the hottest songs released this year.

According to Amerado the ‘RapMare’ EP brings out the full face hiding beneath the “Hoodie” and it’s to show the world how broad and versatile he is when it comes to rap music. The EP is one of the best we’ve listened to and we salute Amerado for the great job.





Strongman

Strongman Burner, known in real life as Osei Kwaku Vincent (born on 10th of February,1993) is a Ghanaian Hip-hop Artiste known for his lyrical and unique rap style. He started active music when he was still a student at T.I Amass and he has over the past few years won the hearts of most Ghanaians including fellow artistes.

He saw himself in the limelight after winning the “Focus fm Freestyle Friday” in 2010, “Kfm Freestyle Saturday” in 2011 and “Tha Next Big Thang In Gh Hip-hop” in 2012. In fact, Strongman Burner is regarded as the most creative rapper in Ghana.

Strongman has then worked with many great artiste in Ghana which include Sarkodie, Bisa Kdei, Okyeame Kwame, Flowking Stone, Edem etc. and has also been on tune with DJ Black and many other great DJ’s

Strongman was a member of the Mic Burners Family, and Azee Records which has helped him in progressing in his rap career. Now signed under his own record label known as “empire’ , the Oseikrom rapper does indigenous rap in a proverbial manner more like Obrafour’s style of rap. But he can be the greater Obrafour because his career prospects look good! “W’atse Anaa…Wob3k) Mad Y))!”