industry . We are just praying God gives us a vaccine so things can go back to our normal lives .
Where are you from ? Have your surroundings shaped you in a creative sense and in what way ( s )?
OBIBINI : My mum is from Asante Efijasi and my dad is an Akwapem from Aburi . Since I am an Akan and we trace our lineage through the matrilineal side , then I can say I am an Asante . However , I grew up at Mile 7 , Achimota and this where the whole music vibe started for me , actually . I had my first set of fans at Mile 7 and I had two concerts of my own there and OB is Mile 7 and Mile 7 is OB . Also , I can confidently say Mile 7 has influenced my approach to music in many ways I can never imagine . The reality on those streets is hard and as a Mile 7 boy , I ’ d say I ’ ve been through every phase of it ; which really affected the way I write my music . I have seen it all on those streets and it has really helped me in terms of creativity as I can touch on any topic given . The youth of Mile 7 consist mostly of kids who have been on their own for a long time basically and I feel proud to represent them . Mile 7 is one of my best inspirations when I want to write music . I have lessons upon lessons from living there that I can tap into when I ’ m writing on any topic .
How long have you been making music as Obibini ?
OBIBINI : The whole rap thing started for me in my high school days at Adisadel College ( Adisco ) in Cape Coast . I was a part of this rap group called IDM , Ill Deadly Ministers . We were four in number doing our thing in those days just for the clout . But professionally , I ’ d say I have been making music since 2011 .
Starting music , have you always used the name Obibini or there has been another name ?
OBIBINI : Back in Adisco I used the name Buddha after the founder of Buddhism . I was so much into hard core Hip Hop . I wasn ’ t ready to be malleable for anything . After school , I realized I wanted to do music professionally and so I thought Buddha needed to go . So after a little meditation , God gave me an idea , Obibini . Obviously , black is beautiful , infinite and naturally inspiring . I chose Obibini because I felt it was a name that will talk a lot about me before I even step up on a stage . If you ask me , I ’ d say I think it ’ s the best name out there in the rap industry and music industry as a whole .
What made you choose Hip Hop as a genre ?
OBIBINI : First of all , I am a rap fan . I went crazy for Hip Hop when I was a very young lad . I remember back in JSS , I could do the whole Obrafour ’ s Pae Mu Ka album . My classmates wouldn ’ t even go for break because they enjoyed listening to me rap . I went to secondary school and I felt like no , this is the time for me to discover myself . I started writing my own stuff and I like to consider myself as an all-round musician sometimes but Hip Hop is my main medium of expression .
Due to the skirmishes going on with Nam I and Menzgold , where do you stand with Zylofon ? Are you still with the label ?
OBIBINI : I am still with Zylofon Music and I still feel very proud of Zylofon and I haven ’ t regretted joining Zylofon .
22 | Colossium . July 2020