Ghanaian artist Dr Cryme has ignited discussions within the music industry after asserting that his “Twi Pop” sound would have achieved greater acceptance had it been introduced by an international artist.
In a recent interview, the rapper conveyed his disappointment regarding what he perceives as a lack of support for local innovation.
He believes that Ghanaian audiences often exhibit more enthusiasm for concepts that originate from abroad.
“If a foreigner had created Twi Pop, we would have jumped on it,” he stated, adding that his genre has faced challenges in gaining recognition due to its perception as distinct from the already established Hiplife sound.
Dr Cryme elaborated that, in addition to the sound itself, the branding and naming of a genre significantly influence its acceptance among listeners.
He pointed out that numerous music styles existed before their formal definitions, but once they were named, they acquired identity and direction.
In making a comparison, he acknowledged Reggie Rockstone for being the pioneer of Hiplife, a genre that has now achieved widespread recognition both locally and globally.
Nevertheless, he emphasised that Ghanaian music should not be confined to a single dominant style.
“We cannot say Ghana music should be one style. Other countries have many genres that we even copy from,” he remarked on Angel FM in Kumasi.
The artist mentioned that his choice to develop Twi Pop was deliberate and motivated by a wish to establish a lasting legacy.
He characterised the genre as a blend of local language and global sound, merging Twi lyrics with foreign-inspired beats to create something distinctive.
The ‘Pop’ signifies the foreign style, while the ‘Twi’ denotes our local dialect,” he explained, adding that the intention was to enhance the global appeal of Ghanaian-language music.
Dr Cryme also disclosed that he takes pride in identifying as a Twi Pop and world artiste when performing or giving interviews outside of Ghana, reflecting his confidence in the genre’s potential on the international stage.
Despite the gradual acceptance domestically, he remains optimistic that Twi Pop will ultimately receive recognition.
He believes that time and ongoing support can facilitate the genre’s breakthrough, similar to other styles that initially encountered resistance.
“We would never know. Twi Pop might make waves in the years to come,” he remarked.
He concluded with a compelling appeal for Ghanaians to foster creativity within the nation, encouraging audiences to appreciate and promote local concepts rather than await foreign endorsement.
“Anyone who tries to be innovative should be supported. If we support outsiders more than our own, then we are not being fair,” he asserted.
