Lawyer and lecturer Bobby Banson has published a list of Ghanaian rappers who have made significant contributions to the country's music industry. In an article titled "The Debate Over the Crown: Who is Ghana's Greatest Rapper?", Banson outlines his criteria for selecting the rappers, including consistency, commercial success, investment in young craft, lyrical dexterity, industry relevance, and generational distinction.
Banson's list is divided into two categories: the older generation and the younger generation. The older generation includes rappers such as Sarkodie, Omar Sterling, Okyeame Kwame, Reggie Rockstone, Obrafour, and Lord Kenya. These artistes have contributed significantly to the development and commercialization of Ghanaian rap. Their longevity, influence, craftsmanship, and place in the history of Ghanaian hip-hop and hiplife are considered in Banson's evaluation.
The younger generation of rappers includes Medikal, Kweku Smoke, Strongman, and Lyrical Joe. According to Banson, these artistes have had to operate in an industry transformed by streaming, social media, and digital distribution. Their inclusion in the list reflects not only their music but also their ability to establish distinct identities and demonstrate technical and commercial qualities necessary to command attention in the contemporary era.
Banson's criteria for evaluating the rappers include consistency and longevity, commercial success, investment in young craft, lyrical dexterity, industry relevance, and generational distinction. He believes that these criteria provide a reasonable and consistent framework for discussing the greatest Ghanaian rappers. Banson also acknowledges that reasonable people may disagree with the weight assigned to each criterion.
Several artistes, including EL, Obibini, M.anifest, Kofi Kinaata, Amerado, Flowking, Chris Waddle, Tinny, and Trigmatic, were considered but did not make Banson's final selection. Their omission does not imply a lack of credentials or artistic merit. Banson plans to discuss the detailed reasons for the inclusion and exclusion of each name in a future conversation.
Banson's list is informed by his conversations with people who have been deeply involved in Ghana's music industry, including Hammer of The Last Two. Hammer's contribution to Ghanaian music, particularly the development of hip-hop and hiplife, gives his perspective considerable weight in any conversation about the evolution of rap in Ghana.
Banson's list aims to approach the debate about Ghana's greatest rapper with a framework that goes beyond personal preference or fandom. The list is not simply a compilation of Banson's favorite rappers but an attempt to evaluate the rappers based on their longevity, commercial success, investment in the next generation, lyrical ability, and industry relevance.
Key points
- Lawyer Bobby Banson releases a list of top Ghanaian rappers based on specific criteria.
- The list is divided into two categories: the older generation and the younger generation.
- Banson's criteria include consistency, commercial success, investment in young craft, lyrical dexterity, industry relevance, and generational distinction.
