Veteran Ghanaian rapper Tinny has set the record straight regarding his language choice in music, addressing earlier claims by renowned producer Hammer that he influenced Tinny’s switch from Twi to Ga rap.
Speaking on The Crunch Podcast, Tinny revealed that his decision to blend Ga with Twi in his music was entirely his own, long before Hammer’s involvement.
“Before Hammer would call me, I was already doing Ga,” Tinny shared, explaining how he was approached to feature as a Ga rapper on Paa Dogo’s album.
“I was at home in Haatso when the call came. Hammer said they needed a Ga rapper, and Paa Dogo had told them about me. So, I went to meet him.”
While Tinny acknowledged Hammer’s appreciation for his unique off-timing style in Ga rap, he made it clear that the decision to incorporate more Ga in his music had already been made.
“I had already done some Twi songs, but Hammer preferred my off-timing style in Ga,” he stated, referring to the way Hammer encouraged him to emphasize his Ga lyrics.
Tinny also revealed that he had recorded a full Twi album under Ashanti International, but even then, he continued to blend it with Ga.
Reflecting on his artistic journey, he emphasized that staying true to his Ga roots made him stand out. “When they came out, I realized that Twi wasn’t my unique voice. It’s better I sound like me—let someone else sound like Tinny,” he added.
Background
Hammer had claimed in an interview with Bola Ray on Starr Chat that he had convinced Tinny to transition from rapping in Twi to Ga. This alleged pivotal shift has been cited as a defining moment in Tinny’s career.
Hammer recounted how Tinny initially approached him, emphasizing his parents’ involvement and the misunderstandings that arose during their early collaboration. “Tinny came looking for me.
His parents were very involved. We had misunderstandings because Tinny was confused about how I wanted him to do Ga, and he wanted to do Twi. Twi was dominating, and he hadn’t done Ga before. He was known as Tinny Fresh and was a Twi rapper,” Hammer explained.
He recognized a unique quality in Tinny’s music, stating, “But I heard Ga in his Twi and knew he couldn’t face the Twi rappers with Ga-influenced Twi, so I insisted on Ga.”
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