Sensational Edem to Go'getem

I enjoy being a critic, i.e. to observe and study situations to offer differing or lacking perspectives to appear more intelligent than the initiator(s) but I have decided to do something different today – to take time off to sing the praise song of one of the sensational and versatile acts of our time, the VRMG’s Edem, before the eulogies starts trickling in.

Swagnificent Edem in a happy mood

I have micro blogged a couple of times on Twitter and on my Facebook page about the rapper who has refined his brand from Ayigbe Edem to Edem, but I am of the conviction that dedicating a full blog on the heels of the rapper’s ability to win the Best International Act at the just ended Black Canadian Awards in far away Canada would be timely and proper.

Edem beats the likes of Mafikizolo from South Africa, Davido, Yemi Alade and Oritse Femi, all of Nigeria and Eddy Kenzo from Uganda among other African artistes from other parts of the continent over the weekend to become the crowned King of the Black Community in Canada. 

Just like I predicted for other enduring Acts, Edem was promising with his official debut as soon as he stepped on the scene and caught up with everyone like a wildfire in a dry season and has lived up to the billing over the years by featuring both local and international acts.

The award winning rapper and singer whose recently launched album ‘Books and Rhymes’ features dope songs waxed with beautiful storylines, literary prose, watertight lyrics and good compositions deserves a special mention for his immense contribution to shaping the musical landscape of Ghana. This recognition for me should even be a notch higher considering the fact that as a poster child for VRMG, the rapper who raps mostly in Ewe, defied the odds and made a breakthrough when other rappers could barely string words together, let alone over beats.

Edem, who cannot be exactly touted as the torchbearer of the Ewe rap has however worked hard to pay his dues by putting Ewe rap on the map of both hip life and hip hop genre and has quickly risen to become the one to inspire all the aspiring Ewe rappers who are seeking to cement his legacy through the lingua.

Edem, in one of his performances feat. Gemini, a Dancehall Act

The VRMG Poster child who does Reggae, Hip Hop, Dancehall and Hip life is by far one of the most versatile artistes in Ghana with strong collaborative pieces that touches on all facets of life and a convincing force to reckon with as far as the music industry in Ghana is concerned. The funny Volta Regime Entertainer who won best album of the year, best directed video with ‘the one’ and Afro pop song of the year 2015 under review, exudes intelligence and depth if his lyrics and compositions are anything to go by. 

To this end, Edem is incontrovertibly the forte of Ewe rap music by being the first to cross country beyond Africa and the musical ambassador representing the Volta region while still making inroads into the international scene where he’s had several nominations, some of which he eventually won. He has three studio albums to his credit namely 'Volta Regime' , 'Mass Production' and 'Books and rhymes' Edem is more than a rapper and a force that will not stop until his work is done. Kudos Edem for blazing the trail and while having solace in the fact that the ghetto will rise one day.

Writer tweets @vilejah