Lyrical Joe Speaks Out on Pressure to Rap in Twi: That’s Not the Only Local Language in Ghana
Ghanaian rapper Joseph Gamor widely known by his stage name Lyrical Joe has opened up about a recurring challenge many English-speaking artists face in the local music industry the pressure to rap in Ghanaian languages, particularly Twi.
In an interview on 3Music TV, the 5th August hitmaker discussed how artists like himself who primarily rap in English often receive pressure from fans and industry insiders to switch to local dialects in order to better connect with a broader Ghanaian audience.
From the beginning you can never dodge that thing in Ghana, Lyrical Joe said candidly, reflecting on his early days in the industry. He explained that people frequently encouraged him to either rap in Twi or simplify his lyrics using pidgin English to make them more relatable.
“People said to me, ‘If you will not do the Twi, then at least break it down to pidgin. Let’s keep it pidgin and see because Ghanaians can cope with that,’” he shared during the interview.
Despite the pressure, Lyrical Joe emphasized that he has always had a clear artistic direction and was determined to stay true to his vision. I also had my mindset about what I was looking to achieve and everything,” he said, underlining his commitment to his craft and lyrical style.
The rapper also raised a thought-provoking point about the cultural diversity in Ghana and how the dominance of Twi in the music scene often sidelines other local languages. People ask me why I won’t speak Twi in my song. They don’t ask me where I’m from, whether I’m Asante or not. That’s not the only local language in Ghana, so if you are forcing me to go there, then there is a problem,” he stated.
Lyrical Joe’s comments add to a broader conversation about language, identity, and authenticity in Ghana’s music industry. While many artists adapt to local linguistic preferences for wider appeal, others like Lyrical Joe continue to champion lyrical excellence and individuality, regardless of the language they choose.
His remarks have sparked interest and debate among fans and fellow artists highlighting the ongoing balancing act between staying true to one’s artistry and meeting the expectations of the local audience.