‘I chased Hammer for three years’ - Edem recounts breakthrough process

Ghanaian rapper Edem has opened up about the relentless journey he endured before finally getting the opportunity to work with legendary music producer Hammer.

Speaking in an interview on Joy Prime, the rapper recounted how he spent three years pursuing the renowned producer in hopes of landing a breakthrough in the music industry.

According to Edem, his admiration for Hammer’s work began while he was still in senior high school.

Determined to work with the producer, he started searching for him right after school despite having no idea where to find him.

He explained that people often mentioned a place called “Hash Hash” whenever Hammer’s name came up, but no one could clearly direct him to the location.

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Edem revealed that sometime in 2003, a friend who had access to musician Samini, finally got him Hammer’s phone number.

However, he said he was too nervous to make the call immediately and waited nearly two weeks before asking his elder sister to place the call on his behalf.

According to him, Hammer answered the phone and invited him to the studio after hearing who he was and what he wanted to do.

Excited about the opportunity, Edem said he dressed in his best clothes and headed to the studio the next day, hoping to finally meet Hammer.

“I went to Hash Hash, I got there around 2. There so many underground artistes, I sit for there from 2 then around 7:30 when Hammer was closing, he came out and asked who I am, I introduced myself as the guy who’s sister called and I told him I could rap but his guidance will make me better. He asked me to call him then he left,” he explained

The rapper said the process became a routine as he constantly returned to the studio, sometimes waiting outside for hours without seeing the producer.

He added that there were moments he slept on benches while trying to secure a meeting, while other times he would repeatedly visit call centers to call Hammer, hoping the producer would pick up.

Edem disclosed that he continued chasing the opportunity from 2003 until 2006, refusing to give up despite the many disappointments.

According to him, the breakthrough finally came when Hammer decided to work with a large group of upcoming rappers who were also seeking opportunities.

He said over 200 rappers initially joined the process before the number was gradually reduced to just 16 artistes.

Over time, many of the hopefuls dropped out, leaving Edem among the few who remained committed.

The rapper explained that during that period, he and Hammer began building a relationship beyond music, often spending time discussing movies, music, and life in general.

Eventually, Hammer played him a beat and asked him to record on it, a moment Edem described as the turning point in his career.

He recalled the producer telling him, “Ghana is ready for you,” a statement that marked the beginning of their working relationship and his rise in the music industry.

@joyprimetv_ Unbelievable! @iamedem reveals he chased Hammer for three years before finally getting the chance to work with him #primetime ♬ original sound - JoyPrimeTV

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