Ghanaian rapper Lyrical Joe has addressed his involvement in the recent rap feud that has captivated fans in both Ghana and Nigeria.
The feud began in May 2024 when Sarkodie released a song called “Brag” from his mixtape, “The Championship.” In the song, Sarkodie mentioned Nigerian artists Davido, Wizkid, and Burna Boy, sparking a rap battle between the two countries.
Davido supported his artist Dremo in responding to Sarkodie’s claims, but Sarkodie dismissed Dremo’s response. This led several Ghanaian rappers, including Lyrical Joe, to defend Sarkodie and challenge Dremo.
Lyrical Joe’s track “1960,” a reference to Nigeria’s year of independence, along with responses from Don Itchi, Wan Nana, Phrimpong, and CJ Biggerman, added fuel to the fire.
Despite expectations for Lyrical Joe to release another diss track aimed at Dremo, he chose not to. This decision led some to speculate that he had been pressured to stop. However, in an interview with TV3, Lyrical Joe clarified that his choice was not influenced by external factors or a call for a ceasefire.
He emphasized that his involvement was not about defending Sarkodie but rather about promoting a broader conversation within the Ghanaian rap community.
“No one contacted me to cease fire or anything. It had more to do with the fanbase on and off social media.
“He (Sarkodie) is a rapper who can stand his own ground. I only came in because it had to do with the rap dialogue in Ghana,” he said.
He stated that Sarkodie is fully capable of handling his battles but felt compelled to engage Dremo on behalf of the rap industry in the country.
Lyrical Joe also praised Sarkodie’s role in reinvigorating the rap scene in Ghana and reiterated that his [Sarkodie] actions were in support of the entire genre, not just one individual.
“He’s one of the people who is energising the rap scene too as well. I stepped in to represent the entire rap genre. Not that I’m fighting Sarkodie’s fight,’ Joe said.
