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Tinchy Stryder
Tinchy Stryder is the 23-year-old artist who recently took over the charts with several big hits, including his No.1 single “Number One”. Flying the flag for his homeland Ghana, Tinchy – whose real name is Kwasi Danquah – even visited South Africa to support the Ghanaian team in the World Cup. He later revealed that it still hurts when he thinks of how Ghana were knocked out of the tournament. Proud of his roots and keen to shout about it, he speaks to Denise Kodia about life as one of the most popular Ghanaian artists of the moment. Where do you consider your motherland?
Ghana, man! I know I have grown up and live in London, but Ghana is where I was born and where I am from. I have my roots there. Also, my family is really close, so that always helps you remember where you’re from. So much so, I’ve even got a tattoo of Africa on my arm – it’s of the continent of Africa, and Ghana is highlighted. Every tattoo on me is one that I’ll never regret.
would be big houses and the opposite would be shanty towns. You usually find them in one area, not directly opposite each other.
How important to you are Ghana and the people who live there? Do you feel you represent African music?
I think, for anyone, where they are from is important to them. I don’t think I represent African music, because what I take as African music and the music I do are not the same. I don’t think of myself as an artist who makes African music.
You no longer live in Ghana, but do you still feel connected to the country? And do you When you hear the music of feel under pressure to represent for the Ghanaians in African artists like 2Face, what do you think of it? the music industry? Of course I feel connected to Ghana, especially when I’m at my mum’s house. When I got the number one, I did feel like I was reppin’ for a lot of people, not just those who are Ghanaian. I guess when I’m around other Ghanaians, they remind you of how well you’re doing and how proud they are of you. I feel I’m more connected to Ghana [than to the UK]. I recently went to South Africa for the World Cup – it was an experience seeing everything there.
What are the major differences between South Africa and Ghana?
I haven’t been to Ghana in a little while, but from the last time I went there, there were differences – the way things are dealt with. And I don’t think I’ve ever been anywhere where one side of the road
I just always wonder how it affects those back in Africa. What kind of impact are they having on their fans? But from what I’ve heard, they’re what’s popping at the moment, as they’ve got their own style.
Within African culture, the mother of the family is a very important figure. How important is your mum in connecting you to Ghana and the motherland?
She’s real important. Your mum will remind you of how they did things back home and how they are different to things over here. You also learn different things, like the culture, and that’s where the connection is.
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