Odiefour - The new testament of hiplife (Apam Foforo)

Hiplife is the most known genre of music in Ghana now which has spread to other countries especially the Ghanaian communities in the foreign lands.

Odiefour requires no introduction since he was an ex band member of Double Dee who projected the hiplife movement in Canada.

Odiefour was acclaimed, loved, respected during ‘the Double Dee’ reign. But regardless of public opinions and media speculation, Odiefour isn’t breaking down, he still close as ever with the other members of Double Dee.

With latest project ‘Gyina Ho Gye’ slated for this year, he says he has taken his time well to sought out 10 songs out of the 24 songs he recorded.

Odiefour has solidified himself as a premier musician. Odiefour talks about his real life and love and issues with the Ghanaian music….read on.

Ghana Music.com: Why do you think commercial hiplife songs are targeted nowadays?

Odiefour:  Commercial songs are targeted because it is what most people hear when they go to the clubs and house parties, I also believe it has something to do with the growth of hiplife Back in the 90’s, the hard core rap was in style but now listeners prefer commercial tracks more.

Ghana Music.com: Before your heavily anticipated albums comes out. Do you think you stand out in a certain way?

Odiefour:  On the real, I think I’m the new testament of hiplife (Apam Foforo).  I’m different from most artistes because I come in the game with my own trend, instead of doing what everybody is doing, am unique.

Ghana Music.com: Am sure you took a lot of time and made sure your songs fit with each other and fit the theme on the album. Could you speak on when you decided to make the album so themed?

Odiefour: This album has been a long time coming, it took me a couple of years to put it together because I wanted to get everything right, I recorded 24 tracks and chose the best ten songs that fit the theme of the album (Gyina Ho Gye).

Ghana Music.com: You’re coming out with a CD of the album. Are you feeling rushed because of some illegal situations like piracy and downloads?

Odiefour:  (He laughs). Piracy and illegal downloading is something you can’t control, my main concern is to get my music out there for the people to listen.

Ghana Music.com: What record label are you releasing the album on right now?

Odiefour: KOASTAL FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT. Managed by Mr. Paa Kwesi Yatel. I’m the first artist, we have other artistes on the label and you will hear more about them next year. our email address is koastalfamily@yahoo.com.

Ghana Music.com: How are things in Canada right now, because I know that you are a Don there?

Odiefour: Canada is full of thirsty MCs trying to get on the game, a lot of the MC’s look up to me but then you have the haters praying for my downfall, Double Dee is the first hiplife mc’s group from Canada to make an impact in the Ghanaian scene, so I understand if they want to hate.

Ghana Music.com: Why do you think the media doesn’t talk about you that much since Double Dee are so popular? They always talk about when rappers get in trouble, but not about you guys or you that much.   

Odiefour: First of all I think being out side Ghana is the main reason, most of these artists bribe the media journalist to write false articles about them so they can get free publicity and that ain’t right.

Ghana Music.com: Who else is going to be on the album, as far as producers and guest stars as concerned?

Odiefour: I worked with a lot of incredible people on this album. I featured the talented Bandana (Wale), Shilo, Screwface, Godson Flexzy, Debra and of course Big OJ. Jay Q blessed me with a couple of beats not forgetting Sugar Tone and Big OJ blessed the rest.

Ghana Music.com: Do you think been a member of Double Dee will help in your new album

Odiefour: No, because this is a new chapter for me. Am coming out as Odiefour Daniel, Double Dee is a different page.   

Ghana Music.com: With the way the Ghanaian music is now, do you feel the changes in the industry are leading to better music industry or worse one?

Odiefour: Personally I think it’s leading to a better  music, you know what I mean, Ghanaian music are being accepted in most corners of the world, I know a couple of Spanish people who love the rhythm and style of hiplife/hi-life. But we should always appreciate the old highlife because it opened a lot of doors for us.

Ghana Music.com: What are your hopes and dreams?

Odiefour:  My hopes and dreams? Hmmm,  am planning to establish a children’s home so I can give back to the youth. There are future kids who are born into low income families and with our support hopefully they can grow up and become better and successful in life.

Ghana Music.com: Do you feel refreshed; do you feel like you have a lot to say as a solo artiste?

Odiefour: Most definitely, I have a lot to say, this album is like my side of the story, I have your typical love stories, life,Jama tracks etc.   

Ghana Music.com: The amount of gangsterism and profane rappers in the game right now is so large. What are you doing to distinguish yourself that would make you stand out?

Odiefour:  Like I said before I have my own unique style, I’m not a follower ,am a leader so when u see the artiste, Odiefour you will see something new.

Ghana Music.com: Hiplife somehow become so fake that people make things up to diss each other again? What’s your take on that?

Odiefour: (Laugh). If you have a problem with someone the best thing to do is to confront them personally. After the confrontation, if he’s still acting up then you go ahead with the diss track, most MC’s like diss tracks because they are physically weak. We call them studio gangsters

Ghana Music.com: If somebody has enough money to buy 1 record and has 10 to choose from, why should he pick up yours?

Odiefour: From the intro to the outro I guarantee you will not skip a track, everybody can find a song on it to relate to.

Ghana Music.com: Who is your favourite artist and how did he inspired you?

Odiefour: I don’t have a favourite, am just kidding, I think everybody in the game has inspired me in a way but I mostly look up to people like Reggie Rockstone, he is the real Don, Kwaw Kese (he’s an originator) and Bandana, the prince of raglife

What’s the future for Odiefour after this album?

Odiefour: To continue what I love to do which is music and to provide my fans with more and better sounds.

Ghana Music.com: Any last words?

Odiefour: God bless Ghana, God bless music and God bless you. Peace!