Let’s look at 5 distinguished emcees who got ‘extinguished.’ These rappers had huge potential to make it big in the Ghana music industry and some of their creative songs suggested so. They were consequently hyped and labelled the next big thing, only to whimper and take a bow before one could actually say, “Jack Robinson.”
Below are these artistes…
Mensa
Mensa is still in the game but he has not seen the huge attention that was accorded him when he first made his entry into the Ghanaian music industry. Mensa was born in Accra but was raised in USA (Los Angeles-California) and UK (North London).
He was a member of the defunct Lifeline family that bragged of members like T-Blaze and Yoggy Doggy…
Presently, Mensa has formed a musical alliance with Wanlov Da Kuborlor. Together they released a musical film dubbed “COZ OF MONI”. Mensa has become popular in recent times, not with his music but his engagement in unwarranted controversies..
Scizo
This man took Ga rap to a different dimension, something that created a perceived rivalry between himself and Tinny. His ‘throw one stone’ song became a street anthem and earned him a good name. In ‘sound of our time’, his ‘ke shikale ne egbo’ was the most played song on radio in Ghana, after Bollie’s song.
Somehow, Scizo disappeared and has not reappeared.
Dogo
Dogo is believed to have been the one who introduced the embattled Kwaw Kese into the rap game. While the latter is still in the limelight and enjoying great achievements as a mainstream artiste, Paa Dogo has ‘varnished’ into thin air.
He was part of Hammer’s discovery and he churned a number of hit songs. He made a comeback in 2008 but it was a feeble attempt to regain his fame and ‘power.’
Bollie
Bollie (real name Ishmael Hamid) was the only artiste whose song became an instant hit on hammer’s compilation ‘sounds of our time’ 2004. His song attained massive endorsement not only in Ghana but West Africa, especially in Nigeria.
Though he released a couple of single tracks thereafter, Bollie kissed his instant success goodbye and never transformed to the star we all envisaged.
Okra
Sarkodie, the man who is now considered the king of rap in Ghana, paid glowing tribute to Okra, saying he inspired several MCs including himself to try their luck with hiplife.
Okra was one of the many underground rappers Hammer discovered many years ago. His style was awesome. However, Okra struggled to shine and got buried with history.
Los Angeles is in California State
And so? What exactly is your point? The article clearly stated that, Mensa was born in Accra but was raised in USA (Los Angeles-California) and UK (North London).
the error that i saw….. has been corrected
The picture of M3NSA you have used without authorisation is actually from a special feature that the Africa Channel (a worldwide broadcaster) did on him and Wanlov The Kubolor for the their special achievements last year. How ironic.
Mensa and Wanlov’s pidgin musical, the first one in the world, has won multiple awards at various film festivals. They have even done a part two. From where i sit, it looks like Mensa is focused on other projects than making hit records. So i guess it depends on your definition of success.
I equally don’t get your point Quincy