Meet Disastrous, Ghanaian-Made but American Influenced
US based Ghanaian rapper, Disastrous, hopes to put Ghanaian music on the map with his forthcoming sophomore album, poignantly titled ‘Ghanaian-Made, American Influenced’.
Born Edem Nigel Amedume in Accra, Ghana, Disastrous discovered his talent as early as age 8. Even before Reggie Rockstone, the Godfather of hiplife, had made a name for himself in the industry, young Disastrous was making a name for himself performing future hits out of Reggie’s demo.
It is therefore not surprising that Reggie Rockstone remains to date, one of Disastrous’ biggest influences.
Disastrous describes himself as an artist who is able to express himself through his music by staying real and true to his origins. “I do music about true-life experiences and I try not to be false; keeping it real on an African level.” He hopes that his new album
would open the doors for his fellow Ghanaians who want to do hip-hop but do not have the support of their own people, not because they are not good but because their people are stuck to our old ways.
The 15-track would be available on CD in Ghana and across Africa in a few months, but from March 6, Ghana’s 52nd Independence Anniversary; it would be available on soundclick.com/disastrous as an mp3 album. Jamati.com met the young and talented rapper to find out his inspiration for the album; his music in general and what fans should expect from him in the future.
Jamati: Why did you choose such a strong title for your album?
I was born and raised in Ghana but I happened to be influenced by the hip-hop culture which is American. So I just merged it all together and came up with “Ghanaian-Made, American Influenced“.
Jamati: What is the direction of the album in terms of content?
This album was all about opening up to my fans to let them understand me better so they can join me on my mission. It has 15 tracks including ‘Be Ole’ featuring Reggie Rockstone. ‘I represent Ghana’ and ‘Shorty So Special’ for my African ladies. I worked with a couple amazing producers including Esco Da Don, GP, and D Jones.
Jamati: Do you think it would have an impact on the American market considering the title of the album?
Not much but I wanted to focus on my people with my first album, I will cater to my American fans in due time. When it is right!
Jamati: When did you leave Ghana?
I left Ghana first in 2001 for high school in Brooklyn. Icame back home in 2003 and moved back to the states in 2004 for college. I miss my childhood friends and just the simple peace of mind back home. It’s less stressful. I started rapping at a really early age back in Ghana. I think my first talent show was at the age of 10. I performed a song by Reggie Rockstone called ‘Ttsooboi’. Reggie was not popular yet in Ghana but I had demos of his music and had learned it word for word. The crowd loved me and I fell in love with the industry.
Jamati: Who were some of your other influences?
I have always been a fan of American hip-hop so I listened to a lot of Jay-z, Bob Marley, Biggie and 2 Pac. More recently, I listen to the likes of T.I, Young Jeezy, Lil Wayne and Common. There are a lot more but I will just leave it at that, bottom line is if you motivate people through your music I am a fan.
Jamati: When did you get your lucky break as a rapper?
I have had the chance to open for a couple a couple top American artists and always had the support of my American audience but I think my defining moment was when I performed the same songs to which I was hailed for by the American audience to my Ghanaian audience and was booed. This would have been the end for a lot of artists but that moment motivated me to go harder and open the doors for my fellow Ghanaians who want to do hip-hop but do not have the support of their own people not because they are not good but because our people refuse to go out of the box. We are stuck in our old ways and I intend to help introduce new ways.
Jamati: How would you describe your kind of music?
I do African hip-hop. Some people would argue that African hip-hop is the same as hiplife but I personally think it’s different. I want to do hip-hop which I do best but at the same time touch on topics which my fellow Africans can relate to. That is different from hiplife because hiplife fuses hip-hop with highlife. African music is the root of every form of music in the world and that’s why I feel we should be doing more.
Jamati: What inspires your rap?
I want to play a major role in making Ghanaian music acceptable internationally like Bob Marley did for Jamaica. Now Jamaican music is accepted everywhere.
Jamati: How is the Ghanaian community and others responding to your music?
It was not easy in the beginning because it’s different from what they are used to but I think I have a dedicated fan base now which I’m happy to do my music for. At least my message is being heard.
Jamati: What have been the highlights of your music career?
Working with Reggie Rockstone on my album cause as a child I never thought I would see that day. Now having the blessings of one of the pioneers I look forward to greater highlight in my career
Jamati: How many albums do you have to your credit?
This is my second album but the first one, ‘True Identity’ was not really put out because I was not happy with the quality. So, I swept it under the rug and brought you ‘Ghanaian-made, American Influenced’.
Jamati: How much growth have you had since the first album?
First I was in a dilemma I didn’t know where I wanted to go with my music but it’s clear to me now and I’m going to do it and do it well. I am more focused. I want to be able to spread a positive message through my music to the whole world; and to open the doors for other artists from third worlds with great talent in music. Doing hip-hop and still keeping it African is not easy at all but somebody has to do it.
Jamati: What do you want to achieve with your music?
Being out here in the States I have done a couple major shows which have opened up doors for me to do the typical American hip-hop. That means me going all out American with my music. Being in this position made me question if I wanted to do the all out American hip hop thing which would mean getting involved in a lot of other things that come with being a hip-hop artist in America; or if I want to stay true to my roots and still do the genre I love best–hip-hop. My mission is to help take Ghanaian music international be it hip-hop, highlife, hiplife or whatever; and opening doors for other Ghanaian artists to be recognized internationally as well. This, I understand, will not be an easy task so I ask for all to join in my mission.
Source: Ghanamusic.com