Hardcore rap will survive melodic trend – Teephlow

Ghanaian rapper, Teephlow, has expressed confidence that hardcore rap will remain relevant in Ghana despite the growing popularity of melodic sounds.

Speaking in an interview on Hitz FM, he said the increasing use of melodies by rappers does not mean the genre is losing its lyrical depth.

He acknowledged that artistes, including himself and Kweku Smoke, have embraced more melodic styles but maintained that musical direction depends on the beat and the message being communicated.

“I don't think we'll lose it because every artist who knows, who is really in deep with this thing called art and music, understands that the heart speaks first,” he said.

Teephlow argued that rappers should be allowed to experiment with different sounds while retaining the lyrical substance that defines hip-hop.

He also urged the media to pay more attention to the quality and content of rap music rather than focusing solely on its sound.

He praised Kweku Smoke for combining melodies with relatable storytelling and cited his own songs, including Six Feet, The Resurrection and Memories, as examples of his approach to meaningful rap.

The rapper further acknowledged the contributions of Sarkodie, EL and Jayso to Ghanaian hip-hop, saying the younger generation was building on their foundation.

“I think the youngins, they are taking it and then they are even polishing it on a different level,” he added.

He maintained that the evolution of hip-hop should not be mistaken for the disappearance of hardcore rap.