Spotlight: Twiddle Freeman. Ghanaian Hiphop’s Starboi and Flyboy
About staying relevant with rap in a scene dominated by Singers
By Nana Kojo Mula on 24th November, 2023
At a time when people are of the view that rap is on the decline and rappers are becoming singers, there are a few who have found a balance between singing and rapping and are doing it very well. One such person is Ghanaian-born artist Twiddle Freeman. With some great songs to his credit, Twiddle has been on a steady climb to the top of Ghana’s music scene. Having scored collaborations with some big names in the industry, Twiddle aims to be a leading name in Ghana’s music industry.
In an interview with us, he shares his background, what he has been up to, and what he hopes to achieve in the years to come.
SM: Hey Twiddle, It is nice meeting you. You have been making some nice strides on social media. For those who still do not know Twiddle, how will you describe yourself to them?
TW: Afriyie Freeman, also known as Twiddle Freeman, is a rapper who can switch genres from Afrobeats, and Drill to Hiphop.
SM: You seem to be an all-around creative. Did you grow up in a creative family? Give us some insight into how you grew up.
TW: I grew up in a creative family. My father was a melomaniac and my brother used to make music, but my mom did not like it. But I drew inspiration from my brother. I grew up in Teshie-Nungua estate and I have always had a strong passion for music. I started rapping at an early age. How I got my name is even funny. We were rapping, and I made a rhyme with Twiddle and Swiddle and something in there.
SM: Deciding to be an artist, even in today’s society, comes with a lot of backlash. How did music start for you, and at what point did you decide to pursue it as a career?
TW: I started rapping at 10 which is like 5th grade, but I did not take it seriously until SHS, where I began rapping on stage and got people to support me. They would encourage me and correct me. I stuck to it, and I am still making progress.
SM: Let’s dig into your music. You are a rapper, and you sing. How do you balance the two, and which one would you say is your strongest?
TW: I will say rapping is my strongest. I can sing too, but I started as a rapper, and I want to maintain that part of me.
SM: Walk us through your creative process. When it comes to your craft, who do you pick inspiration from?
TW: A whole lot but my top six would be I get inspiration from Supa Gaeta, Sarkodie, Jay Z, E.L., Kendrick Lamar, etc. But I would say Sarkodie has inspired me the most because I used to rap like him and dress like him.
SM: How have things been for you so far in terms of your career being independent and all?
TW: So far, things have not been all smooth; we have had both bad and good days. But we are making steady progress, and I trust my team and we are working together to make sure we hit our target.\
SM: You find yourself in a country that has a diverse market but has its issues with supporting yourself, no investors, and a whole lot. What is your assessment of the music industry so far?
TW: Well I feel there is hope for the Ghanaian music industry. There are a lot of acts here, and we just need to keep working hard and promoting each other. With the right promotion, I think we can get our song out there.
SM: Looking at your discography, you have some very interesting features. Tell us about collaborating with other creatives. How easy do you get them, or how difficult is the process?
TW: I would say some were kind of easy because of the bond we have. Some of us are very good friends. Some were difficult to reach because they may not reply to your messages or ask for money. I like to scout and figure out who I can make great music with before I reach out to them. Someone like Supa Gaeta was easy to work with because we had an existing bond.
SM: We are in 2023, and Afrobeats is enjoying a lot of global attention. Where do you, as an artist, fall in all this, and how do you feel this whole situation is going to benefit the Ghanaian industry as a whole?
TW: Right now it is Afrobeats to the world and we are in the Afrobeats era, and it has come to stay. I see amazing acts like King Promise, and Kelvyn Boy, and young acts like Olivetheboy topping charts with afrobeat songs. It gives us the hope that if we can bring out great music we can also get there.
SM: Going forward, what should we expect from you? Any shows? Any Projects?
TW: Yes. We are looking at dropping our first tape with some amazing acts like Supa Gaeta, Tulenkey and other amazing acts who I would not disclose yet.
SM: What last words do you have for your fans, followers, and readers?
TW: I appreciate them a lot. They have not just been fans; they have been a family to me, sticking with me throughout the years and I appreciate the love and support.
Listen to Twiddle’s music on Spotify and follow him on Twitter and Instagram
About the Writer
Nana Kojo Mula is a Creative Art Enthusiast who loves to document Ghanaian Creative stories through his writing. Follow him on social media
