Tinny: Okay, my full name is “Tinny” Nii Addo Quaynor. Tinny is my nickname. I wanna talk a little bit about my family. My parents have 4 boys and 2 girls. I enjoy Hip-hop. You know, in Ghana we call it Hiplife so I’m a Hiplife artist. But I love Hip-Hop you know. I attended Osu Salem JSS  then I went to Okuapeman Secondary School. After school I came out with my debut album in 2003 called “Makola Kwakwe”. But it all began in 1992-1993 at Kiddafest and Funworld- where kids go to have fun and perform music and poetry. I performed there and won a competition organized by Ecstasy promotions.

Ghanacelebrities.com: You just said you love Hip-hop. Who is your favorite Hip-hop artist?

Tinny: That will be T.I.

Ghanacelebrities.com: How did you get your first break in the music industry?

Tinny: After schooling my daddy got in touch with OM Studios. I happened to work with “Hammer” of “Last Two”. I came out with something new called “Hame Hame Ka” and all I do is Ga rap. So I am a Ga musician and in Hip life there is nobody like a Ga rapper. So I was like I need to work very hard when I was making my debut. I also worked really really hard and come out with solid videos. So its all about hardwork.

Ghanacelebrities.com: Majority of people in Ghana speaks Twi and you rap in Ga so how does that play out for you? Is that good for you as an artist?

Tinny: Frankly, Twi is the most popular language in Ghana but I do double work and also I preach more positive messages in my music, this coupled with hard work is the reason behind my sucess.

Ghanacelebrities.com: What part of Ga are you from?

Tinny: Osu

Ghanacelebrities.com: You have worked with a lot of artists and correct me if I’m wrong; I heard you did a single with Ja Rule when he was in Ghana. Is that true?

Tinny: Yeah. Its gonna be on my next album

Ghanacelebrities.com: How was it like working with him?

Tinny: It was cool. He actually liked what I do. He heard a couple of songs that I had already recorded and he was like “wow”. He didn’t mind. He just enjoyed it.

Ghanacelebrities.com: You have worked with a lot of artists, who is the one you enjoyed working with the most?

Tinny: Let me tell you the truth. I don’t have one because everybody I work with is cool and anybody I work with, it comes out great. So I don’t really have one. Actually, I enjoyed working with Ja Rule.

Ghanacelebrities.com: Your music was featured on MTV Base “Making the Video.” How was your music picked up for the show?

Tinny: They actually called me through my management and said they wanted some of my songs. So they came to Ghana and we made the video.

Ghanacelebrities.com: Do you think shows like that give Ghanaian musicians exposure?

Tinny: Yes. Because they put you all over Africa. So it’s very good in terms of exposure.

Ghanacelebrities.com: When I watch your videos, it’s a different concept.  unlike most Ghanaian artist Your videos are usually shot in black and white with unique settings. How do you come out with the concept of your videos?

Tinny: Normally, I direct most of my videos myself. When I get my inspiration, I take my pen and paper and I compose the song and video at once. So when I work with an artist, I have the picture already. So anyone I work with, I just give the person the concept and we work together.

Ghanacelebrities.com: I don’t speak Ga, hence, don't understand your lyrics. So what do you talk about in your songs?

Tinny: Mostly, I talk about what’s happening today, I talk about love, what you can do to succeed in life and sometimes I talk about myself.

Ghanacelebrities.com: As an artist in the Ghanaian music industry, what are the challenges you face?

Tinny: I don’t think I have any challenges in the industry.

Ghanacelebrities.com: Really? Well, moving on then. Personally I feel there is some sort of  competition between Ghanaian and Nigerian artists. Do you feel that way? Do you think Nigerian artists are better than Ghanaian artists?

Tinny: No I don’t. They normally sing in English so they might think their music is better. For me I am a Ga Musician. I’m original. In Ghana, there is nobody to take you to the level you want. In Nigeria, they are rich, they have a better industry and musicians are helped by others. Another thing is that on Mtv Base, they show more Nigerian videos that Ghanaian ones. They get more exposure but in Ghana you have to do your own thing.

Ghanacelebrities.com: If the industry is not pushing you the artist,  then what’s the purpose of the industry?

Tinny: I don’t know what they are doing. You have to do everything on your own. They don’t have time for us, we don’t have meetings.

Ghanacelebrities.com: Do you guys (musicians/artist) pay dues to them?

Tinny: No

Ghanacelebrities.com: We hope you get more exposure internationally. You are obviously a talented hard working artist and we wish you nothing short of the best.  

Special thanks to Tinny for taking the time out and chatting with us. Additional thanks to his manager for making this (interview) possible.

Comments (1)

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I LOVE U
written by Saforo, February 10, 2010

I LOVE UR STYLE OF RAPPING. U RE 2 MUCH KEEP IT UP

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