Obrafour vs Lord Kenya: The legendary rap feud that shook Ghana's hiplife scene

The Ghanaian music industry in the early 2000s witnessed one of its most iconic rap rivalries, pitting two of the country’s top rappers, Obrafour and Lord Kenya, against each other.

This lyrical feud, fuelled by subliminal jabs and public debate, became a pivotal moment in the history of Hiplife, Ghana’s unique blend of rap and highlife music.

Obrafour, often hailed as the “Rap Sɔfoɔ” (The Rap Priest), had made his mark in 1999 with the release of his debut album, “Pae Mu Ka,” which many consider a classic.

However, after enjoying initial success, Obrafour took a brief hiatus from the scene.

During this period, Lord Kenya rose to prominence, dominating the Hiplife charts with hits like *”Sika Baa”* (1999/2000) and “Yɛɛsom Sika” (2001), earning him the title of “Rap Heavyweight Champion.”

The rivalry truly ignited when Obrafour returned in 2001 with his second album, “Asɛm Sɛbɛ.”

On the title track, Obrafour featured TH4Kwagees, whose lyrics appeared to throw a subtle dig at Lord Kenya:
“Sɔre fri do na egua ne wura na ba
Awala ɛnnyɛ Jesus ɛyɛ dɛn nante po do.”

This line, interpreted by fans as questioning who dared to call himself *“Lord”* (a reference to Lord Kenya), ignited the debate.

Obrafour also took direct aim at Lord Kenya’s growing fame with the line:
“Wo pre fa ahenkyɛ a
Obia nsom wo da.”

This was seen as a jab at Lord Kenya’s status, suggesting that no one would worship him despite his popularity.

As the rivalry escalated, Lord Kenya’s fans argued that he was the superior rapper due to his versatility, pointing out that he had released songs entirely in English on both of his albums.

Obrafour, however, responded with a sharp critique of English-language rap in the Hiplife genre, rapping:
“Me nka brɔfo aa
Ɛnkyerɛ sɛ me nte pɔtɔ kasa
Me nte brɔfo koraa nnyɛ me NO ne me Yes.”

He downplayed the importance of rapping in English, reinforcing the power of his Twi-based lyrics.

The tension between the two artists reached its peak when Obrafour released “Bra Bɛ Hwɛ,” where he seemed to mock Lord Kenya directly:
“Mr Tipper bi se ɔyɛ boss
Wa te gyama ɔkaa sɔ ɛnɛ yɛ nora
Wei na me nhu bi da Sakora,”
with “Sakora” being a reference to Lord Kenya’s bald head.

In the “Ɔyɛ Ohene (Remix),” Obrafour didn’t hold back, launching a full-blown lyrical assault with the line:
“L.K. do you wanna try?”
This was widely viewed as a direct challenge to Lord Kenya, further cementing their rivalry in the eyes of fans.

Interestingly, Lord Kenya, who had built his career on hard-hitting rap lyrics, underwent a major transformation in 2013.

He shared that he was on his way to buy weed when he experienced a spiritual encounter that led him to turn his life around.

Today, Lord Kenya is a pastor, leaving behind his days as a rap icon for a new mission in life.

The Obrafour vs Lord Kenya feud remains one of the most memorable “lyrical wars” in Ghanaian music, not just for the intense competition it fostered, but for the lasting impact both artists had on the evolution of Hiplife.

While their rivalry may have been marked by sharp diss tracks, it also pushed both musicians to new creative heights, securing their places as legends in Ghana’s music history.