Renowned Ghanaian record producer Hammer shared intriguing insights into the early career of hiplife artist Tinny.
Hammer disclosed on Starr Chat with Bola Ray on Thursday that Tinny, initially inclined towards rapping in Twi, eventually found his true voice in Ga, overcoming significant challenges and disagreements along the way.
Tinny, born Nii Addo Quaynor, initially faced significant challenges in breaking into the industry due to his decision to rap in Ga, his native language, rather than Twi, which was predominantly used by most hiplife artists at the time. Despite the prevailing trend, Tinny was determined to stay true to his roots and pursue his passion for rapping in Ga.
“Tinny came looking for me. His parents were very involved,” Hammer recounted. “We had misunderstandings because Tinny was confused about how I wanted him to do Ga and he wanted to do Twi. Twi was dominating, and he hadn’t done Ga before. He was known as Tinny Fresh and he was a Twi rapper. But I heard Ga in his Twi and I knew he couldn’t face the Twi rappers with Ga-influenced Twi, so I insisted on Ga.”
The music scene at the time was dominated by Twi, making it difficult for native Ga speakers like Tinny to break through. However, Tinny’s persistence paid off when Hammer of The Last Two secured a deal with Abraham Ohene-Djan, CEO of OM Studios. Impressed by Tinny’s lyrical prowess, Abraham agreed to produce his album.
The transition was far from smooth. Tinny’s father even intervened from the UK, mediating a compromise where Tinny would blend Ga and Twi in his music
With Hammer’s expertise and guidance, Tinny adopted his real name as his stage name and burst onto the Ghanaian music scene in 2003 with the hit song “Makola Kwakwe.” His unique blend of Ga and Twi, along with his compelling stage presence, quickly made him a sensation, dominating radio and TV and gracing numerous events.
Reflecting on Tinny’s success, Hammer noted, “He brought pride to Labadi and continues to remind me of how our decisions shaped his career.”
Today, Tinny remains a celebrated figure in the Ghanaian music industry, a testament to the power of embracing one’s roots and the importance of mentorship and collaboration in achieving success.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Emmanuel Mensah
