OD4 Sets New Standards

The Dance Hall music genre in Ghana cannot be fully described without OD4, whose real name is Henry Agyei Gyamerah.

His sojourn into the music industry started in 1996 when he won the best Rapper in Brong-Ahafo Region.

OD4 who is a supposed "lady's man" did not stop his love for music at that; he showed his versatility by clinching the Best Dancer Award in 1999.

With a compelling desire to break into the Ghanaian music industry, he created a niche for himself with his unique voice and a stage name, OD4 which is derived from a popular Twi parlance Obi a difo, literally meaning, everyone is guilty; with the 4 signifying his melody which he said, is on 4 notes (whatever that means).

A product of Good news Baptist School and Suhum Secondary Technical School, OD4 cut his teeth with DKB (David Kwamina Bolton) who groomed him and recorded 3 songs for him in 2000, which he combined with other songs to release his debut album, 'Wo ya da ?' which featured Ras Niggah and Asomafour in 2002. The album did well in the market and gave him recognition.

OD4 who described his style of music as a blend of High-life and Dance Hall became a household name with the release of his second and recent album, 'Tia bo fre'. The album which he believes would receive a massive patronage has eight tracks on cassettes and ten tracks on CD, including the controversial "Ten Thousand", Twe mami and the much played "Darling Good morning and "S.L.I.M.A Girlz" which is on the label of Slip Entertainment.

According to him, he enjoys featuring other artistes on his work to get varieties, which people say is the spice of life and also to help others showcase their musical skills. He also enjoy doing 'collabo' with other artistes like Daddy Lumba, Oheneba Kissi, Ewura Esi, Eddie Cool, Ras Niggah, Okuraseni, Chicken and others whom he looks up to and have helped him in his career.

On his much publicized relationship with Ras Nigga, he said, "it is strictly business", and to those who think he had 'a thing' with Maya of Mentor 1 fame, he stated that the relationship between the two of them was strictly Mentor business. OD4, who claimed to owe his stagecraft to hard work and determination, is hoping to receive an award in recognition of his contribution to the music industry. He affirmed that he is not imitating Bennie Man or Shaggy but true to the game with his unique voice.

OD4 the supposed "lady's man" who feels women need to be pampered, wants anybody who cares to know about his love life to get closer. He enjoys a good relationship with his producer, Mark Okraku Mantey and his manager, Wasty's Management and also TV3 which led to his contribution to the lyrics of "Ye se Adzei" the Mentor 2 Western Region song.

Relating his plans for the year, he hopes to take at least five street kids to school. He reiterated his plans to work on his musical videos comprising his stage shows and other videos which would be coming out soon on DVD. He also plans to go on a nationwide tour soon. However, he decries the low patronage of Ghanaian music.

He implores Ghanaians to patronize Ghanaian music the way they do to foreign music, this he believes would help take the Ghanaian music to enviable heights. For him, he wouldn't have it good in his chosen career without the support of Bassey, Appietus, Shatta Rako, AB, all TV3 crew and many others. He attests to his believe in God and urges all Ghanaian youths to learn hard and be God-fearing.

To his fans, he wants them to keep supporting and praying for him to get to the mountain top which he hopes to see himself in the next five years. His manager, Wasty's management shares the same sentiment and sees the sky as the limit for him in the next five years.

His parting words to all Ghanaians is "Watch out for OD4 and Sean Paul soon"! When this happens, remember you heard it first from us.
Audio File Available