IT may sound like a lofty dream for an artiste who has yet to break into the mainstream fully, but Takoradi-based rapper Yaw Lucaz is clear about where he is headed.
He wants to become Ghana’s first rapper to win a Grammy Award and he is determined to achieve it in the shortest possible time.
In a recent interview with the Daily Graphic, the rapper said that while many underground artistes limit their ambitions, he has set his sights on the very top of the global music industry and is calling on Ghanaians to rally behind his music to help make that dream a reality.
According to him, his focus over the next five years is to win every possible award in music and he insists that Ghanaians should keep an eye on his journey.
Asked how he intends to achieve such an ambitious goal, Yaw Lucaz said hard work, discipline and faith will guide his path.
“In the next two to five years, I hope to make a big impact in my region and hometown. I want to look back and see how far I’ve come, give back to the needy, homeless, orphans and street hustlers.
“I aim to follow the path God wants for me, create jobs and opportunities for Ghanaians and make a mark on the world. My dream is to become the next global rap star from Takoradi, Ghana, and to be the first Ghanaian rapper to win a Grammy,” he stated.
Music journey
Born Bernard Eshun Lucas, Yaw Lucaz hails from Apremdo, a small town in Takoradi. The younger of two brothers, he was introduced to music by his elder sibling, who played a major role in shaping his early career.
Raised in Sekondi-Takoradi in the Ahanta West Municipality and educated at Snaps College in Takoradi, his journey was far from smooth. He recounted walking long distances to town, sleeping in studios, and even sweeping and cleaning them just for a chance to record a song.
Despite the hardships, he said the people of Takoradi consistently showed him love and encouragement as he pursued music professionally.
He started performing professionally at 15 and quickly became known for his sharp rap skills in radio and street rap battles.
Over the years, he has collaborated with artistes such as Atsu Koliko of TH4KWAGEES on the 2009 hit Agya Sebo, as well as 2Tuff Amerika, Jay Forley and Keche.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, his freestyle rap video “Patupa Patupa” went viral and caught the attention of Nigerian music star Mr Eazi.
Inspiration
Yaw Lucaz attributed his passion and resilience largely to family support.
“My family has always been my backbone in music. My mum has a deep love for music, which inspired me from a young age and my elder brother, who is both a musician and a sound engineer, guided me every step of the way.
“He would play beats for me to record, teach me the ropes in the studio and constantly push me to improve. Without their support, I wouldn’t have had the confidence or the foundation to pursue music seriously,” he said.
Deeply influenced by his upbringing in Takoradi, Yaw Lucaz says his music reflects local stories through a versatile rap style.
“My identity as an artiste is deeply shaped by my upbringing in Takoradi, Ghana. I like to blend local stories with a versatile and unique style, combining different forms of rap and hip-hop. Growing up, I listened to many talented artistes and drew inspiration from their creativity, which helped me develop my own sound and approach to music,” he explained.
He admitted that being based outside Accra has affected his exposure, but he remains optimistic about expanding his reach.
“Being based outside Accra has affected my exposure because the Western Region has a smaller media space and a limited audience. But hopefully soon, I’ll be in Accra, where I can reach more people, while still keeping my fans updated and giving back to my community back home,” he said.
Challenges
Like many independent artistes, Yaw Lucaz said financial constraints remain a major obstacle in his career.
“Some of the biggest challenges I’ve faced as an artiste include financial instability and limited resources, which make it hard to produce and promote my music.
“Breaking through the noise in the industry is also tough, along with dealing with gatekeepers and building the right connections. On top of that, there’s the personal and psychological pressure, as well as navigating complex legal and business matters,” he noted.
Collaborations and awards
On collaborations, Yaw Lucaz disclosed that he had worked with a few notable names and hopes to do more in the future.
“Yes, I have, with Wanlov, the Kubolor, who directed my first music video. We met in Takoradi in 2012, and now he is producing my debut album this year.
“I have always dreamed of collaborating with Mugees of R2Bees, Sarkodie and Lil Wayne (Tunchi),” he said.
His efforts have earned him recognition, including Rapper of the Year at the Western Music Awards in 2018 and 2023, and Artiste of the Year at the Western 3Music Awards in 2023. Songs such as Ofa Wohoa (2010), Rukaya, New King, New Law, Omotola and Go Away have further cemented his presence in Ghanaian rap.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh