Every now and then, we hear of big artistes from Ghana making it to the international scene. One such kind is Mr. MAX who is set to cause ‘mayhem’ in Ghana with his music.

Mr. MAX is part of the new breed of African hip-hop artistes emerging from Ghana and taking the world by storm. Mensa, Wanlov, Reggie Rockstone to mention a few still contribute immensely to the recognition of African hip-hop.

Born Paapa Osei in Ghana, Accra on the 11th of June, a little over a quarter of a century ago, music has definitely played an important role in his life. “Getting into the hip-hop phase was not a problem for me at all.

I remember as a young boy recording over my Dad’s highlife tapes using two audio players, rapping on one and beat boxing over the other. That was how the creativity started and I loved it.”

In 1995, he was a member of a rap group called PHUNKADELIX formed with his MOTOWN cronies. They performed at various events from the first ever Ghanaian hip-hop show called ‘Wrecognise’ in 1996 to the ‘Source’ in 1998 taking home a plaque for being one of the best Ghanaian hip-hop groups. “Those times were wonderful.

It was my secondary school days and I wasn’t bad with my books either. My Dad was not into it at all because he felt I would drop out of school, but hey I was smarter than that, he didn’t raise a dunce.

“I actually got into writing lyrically in Virginia, USA in 2000 after a fire injury kept me home for 3 months. My frustration for not working and being at home was put on paper and that’s how it all took off again”.

With hip-hop influences including Talib Kweli, Common, Nas, Jigger, Little Brother and Dr. Dre, a mixture of tight lyrics and nice head banging beats to Mr. MAX is a recipe for a good track.

After his first degree, he moved to the UK where he rekindled his love for hip-hop with UK based R&B singers Kay-B and Sante forming the group PAK OF 3. To date, the group has jointly recorded over sixteen tracks with the album still on hold but getting some airplay off a couple of singles on some premiere Ghanaian radio stations including Joy FM, Choice FM, Radio Universe as well as Choice fm UK and Hot 97 UK.

“People ask me what is happening with the group and I say we are focusing on solo material for now, but still hoping to complete the album soon”. It has not been easy, financing our studio time, setting up a website to shooting a low budget video with no manager.

Man, I would say we’ve come a long way. Kay-B is doing great, getting major spins on Choice FM UK and opening shows for Jagged Edge and Bobby Valentino and also winning the Hustle and Flow Competition hosted by Choice FM UK for most requested track.

Sante is also working on her promo doing a couple of shows and was recently on Kojo Antwi’s bill as a supporting act in Washington DC. And I’m hoping to perform at the Akon show this year. So I guess it’s a win-win situation right. The loyal ones spread the success.”

“I got back to Ghana in May to get some work experience and observe the music industry and I’d say I was impressed to some extent. Hip-life has taken over tremendously, but the market does not seem to extend beyond the Ghanaian community. If music is a universal language, then that should be our focus. Crossing Over.”

“There should be more collaborations with hip-hop artists to get a bigger chunk of the world market, like Jamaicans have done with reggae and dancehall and the Puerto Ricans are doing with Reggaeton. What I can’t understand is the love we show for foreign hip-hop but ‘chuck it’ when it’s of equal quality but Ghanaian.

There has to be a movement and that’s what I’m looking forward to change. If you hear my stuff and it does not move you or have a positive effect on you, then you obviously have a mental issue.”

Mr. MAX is currently working on his solo project and is teaming up with a host of producers from Steve Hong (UK) to Seven (NJ, USA). ‘JUMP ABOARD’ his promo single is enjoying mad airplay on JOY FM, CHOICE FM, RADIO UNIVERSE and VIBE FM. There is a change about to happen, and like Akon is to Senegal, 2 Face to Nigeria, Mr. Max will be to Ghana.


By Kevin Adisi, Ghana Music.com