Veteran Ghanaian rapper Nii Addo Quaynor, popularly known as Tinny, has opened up about his decision to switch from rapping in Twi and English to his native Ga which he says was motivated by a desire to stay true to his identity.

In a recent interview, Tinny revealed that he began his music career performing predominantly in Twi and English due to the commercial advantages of Ghana’s most widely spoken language.

“I actually started as a Twi rapper. I was doing more Twi and English than a bit of Ga, but I wasn’t a Ga rapper. Twi is the most spoken language in Ghana, so you believe that it helps you go faster in terms of reach and market. That’s why I started out that way.”

However, as his career progressed, Tinny had a personal reckoning and felt the need to reconnect with his roots.

“Later on, I realised that I’m not original. I have to be me and represent where I’m coming from. That’s why I went back to my pen and my paper and I wrote like Makola Kwakwe and other songs.”

He firmly dismissed rumours that legendary producer Hammer of The Last Two influenced his shift to rapping in Ga.

No one, I decided it myself. This was way before meeting Hammer. I was a Ga rapper before meeting him.”

Tinny recalled being introduced to Hammer by fellow artist Doggo during a studio session.

“I remember I met Hammer through Doggo. When Doggo was going to record his album, Hammer was looking for a Ga rapper. So Doggo actually told Hammer about me, and I was home when he called me. I drove there, and I met him, and the rest is history, as they say. So it wasn’t Hammer at all.”

Reflecting on their working relationship, Tinny described Hammer as an inspiring producer whose creativity brought the best out of him.
“The feeling alone was great. Because Hammer is the type that can mute everything and drop you some baseline that you go crazy…even before dropping the strings and everything."

"So it brings the feeling out of you. Like the creativity to come out. I love working with Hammer, one of the best engineers so far," he said.

Responding to claims that some artists found Hammer difficult to work with, Tinny offered a different perspective.
“Maybe it is the understanding. I dey worry, but Hammer still works with me," he said