Music of Sunday, 25 February 2018

Source: jonilaronline.com

Meet LJ; the future of rap music in Ghana

Lyrical Joe (LJ) Lyrical Joe (LJ)

The hip hop culture is gradually becoming popular among every Ghanaian experiencing his or her passage of bloom of youthful exuberance.

The number of Hip Hop artistes contributing their quota to sustain the culture has soared astronomically within a short period from which the culture took off from the west.

In Ghana, we have practically become immune to illustrious sons like Sarkodie, M.anifest, E.L, Edem, Flowking Stone and a host of others for their relentless efforts to challenge the status quo and due credit has been given to them for their immense contribution to cement the legacy which appears to be the medium within which the youth of today address pressing issues confronting the society.

Over the past few years, we have enjoyed melodious or better still, mouth-watering hip hop tunes from the aforementioned artists, some of whom have fought so hard to separate the men from the boys.

One of such diligent young artistes who has fought a good fight to pave his way to join the league of men in the sphere of hip-hop music brewed in Ghana is no other than LYRICAL JOE, succinctly known to his core fans as LJ.

It is crystal clear that Ghana as a nation is blessed with so many young talents but talk of the most resilient, most daring, versatile, and stylish English wordsmith of the moment, and you will be talking about LYRICAL JOE (LJ).

Born Joseph Gamor on the 5th of August, 1995, LJ lost both parents to the cruel and icy hands of death just at the age of 12. Even though it may have appeared traumatising as it did not only truncate that parental love and protection but also his dream of pursuing his education to his desired level.

Devoid of those cruel challenges the young chap defied all odds and turned his misfortunes around by perfecting his craft and embraced music as a career. To the Glory of God, he has never relented in his tireless effort to bless the world with a piece of his naturally endowed talents.

He cites the likes of multiple award-winning artist M.anifest, M.I, Kendrick Lamar, Nas, and Grammy & Oscar award winning rapper COMMON as the greatest influences in his music career. Considered by many to be one of the few or perhaps the only prolific English rapper to watch out for this year, LJ is known to have released a few singles such as "5TH AUGUST", which is undoubtedly the most addicting rap song circulating in the media at the moment.

Other popular songs to his credit include TINNA which features veteran Ghanaian rapper Tinny, TONIGHT which is a contemporary hiplife love song and a host of others. He also featured on E.L's BAR4 Album with a track christened DON'T WAKE UP where he buttressed without any hesitation his claim of being the most prolific "rap beast" of the moment.

His unique rap style, ability to sing and tongue twist from tempo to tempo, and most importantly his unique way of selling across the central idea of his rap just like his idol and now colleague M.anifest, makes Lyrical Joe a formidable force in the game.

LJ recently hinted in an interview that he will soon release to his fans and aficionados of good music now known to be the “Lyrical Republicans”, his first studio album dubbed "KILL", so they should brace themselves and anticipate nothing but amazing.

Another 2018 Submission, According to Felix G