Celebrated Ghanaian disc jockey, Kwadwo Ampofo popularly known as DJ Black, whose list of top 50 rappers in Ghana got almost everyone talking, has held on firmly to his views despite the flaws other industry players and music lovers have pointed out.
To justify the choices he made in his list of top 50 best Ghanaian rappers, DJ Black revealed the criteria insisting that unlike others, he didn’t create the list solely on whose music he enjoys but relied on a set of indicators.
According to the respected DJ, Obrafour, Sarkodie, Okyeame Kwame, Reggie Rockstone, Lord Kenya, Kwadee, M.anifest, Blitz the Ambassador, Jayso and Flowking Stone occupy the top ten spot respectively in Ghana.”
The arrangements and positions occupied by artistes caused a stir on social media, igniting an ongoing debate about who to recognise as best rappers from the country.
However, clarifying the basis for his choices, in an interview on Joy FM, Monday, DJ Black explained that the list per his understanding of hip hop and rap represented people who have what it takes to be called emcees.
“I first looked at their concept, lyrics, attitude, appearance, music and performance.”
I looked at if there were free-styling in front of me, will their lyrics and everything catch my attention and be able to hold my attention”
“I looked at their influence in the game and what we call the ‘oosh’ factor. You know when an emcee is free-styling or performing, he sometimes gives us the ‘oosh’ factor when he gets the crowd amazed at his talent. So this is what I looked at, the longevity in their game and their abilities,”
he stressed. DJ Black also spoke on the positions of the rappers that made it to the list. According to him, the list is in no particular order and is open for healthy criticisms.
Well, Hammer is also out with his list of Top 20 Ghanaian rappers.
