Ameyaw Meets
INTERVIEW: Tinuke throws light on new single ‘Rara’, exploring Afrobeat, transcending boundaries and more
We speak to emerging Ghana-based rap goddess, singer and songwriter of Nigerian descent, Tinúké. She spoke to us on her new single featuring one of Ghana’s finest multi-genre artists, Ayisi, dynamic of having both lived in Nigeria and Ghana, exploring Afrobeat and more.Tinúké is best-known for sustaining her creative flair on tracks through experimenting with various genres, such as; Hip-Hop, RnB, Afrobeat and House music. Having rose to prominence in 2016, she remains one of the most promising talents to emerge from the Afro-Pop scene of late, having delivered a run of singles that have influenced the growth in her popularity such as ‘Collusion’, ‘Waakye’, ‘Aayalolo’, ‘What You Need’ and more recently her critically acclaimed debut compilation mixtape called ‘’H.E.R’’ (Having Extreme Rage).
She makes an audacious statement of intent with any release, marking her turf as the most lyrically proficient female MC on the scene.
Get into the interview below.
- Introduce yourself, tell us about your new single ‘Rara’ and the inspiration behind it?
My name is Tinúké, I’m a rapper, singer and songwriter. ‘Rara’ is a song about making someone aware of your feelings towards them. It’s like the confession of a crush or first love letting them feel that connection that you want them.
We were at a studio listening to a bunch of beats and the idea just came. I guess that’s what I was feeling emotionally at the time. And I later decided to change the beat, but the song lyrics and energy remained the same. ‘Rara’ was recorded a year ago.
- How would you say you’ve evolved over the years? Has your music grown?
Most definitely, I would say my music has evolved over the years. Because my life has evolved over the years and my music is usually an expression of what goes on in my real life. The different stages I’m at in my evolution as an artist and as a person overall.
- How do you feel about female rappers not given the much-needed attention in the industry?
First of all, I don’t identify myself as a female rapper. Because, I don’t think art has a gender. I think the expression “female rappers” is just a way to box women in. I feel we are all artists regardless of gender. It’s like, nobody calls men “male rappers”. So why can’t I just be a rapper or an artist? Why, do I have to be a “female rapper”?
- With you transcending boundaries between Nigeria and Ghana, how is your music faring in both countries?
I’d say pretty okay so far. I get DM’s from people in both countries supporting me and motivating me to keep going. These things make me feel really great. Like I’m doing it for a reason and people are actually paying attention. I love it and I appreciate all my supporters both in Ghana and Nigeria.
- Do you think the dynamic of having lived in both Nigeria and Ghana translates into your music and in what ways?
Most definitely, I think I have a lot of Nigerian and Ghanaian influences in my music because of my personal experiences in both regions. At this point it just comes naturally to me. From my song lyrics and expression. I love the fact that I have more to choose from. And I do identify with both experiences because they’ve shaped me to become the person I am today.
- Building a reputation of being a rapper, any reason why you explored Afrobeat on your new single ‘Rara’?
Yes. Like I said earlier, music is an expression of who I am and how I’m feeling at that stage in my life. And at that stage I felt like expressing my emotions on an Afrobeat song was the way to go in order to fully express the emotions I was feeling with ‘Rara’. I love music overall and my instincts will always be to rap first, but I also am not the type of person to shut out new ideas or box myself in. There’s a part of my soul that loves to explore new things and see just how far I can go and also to discover new aspects of myself and challenge myself in what I can do.
- Any artists you’d like to work in the near future? Any projects for 2021?
Yes, I’m open to work with any and every artist who’s also ready to work as long as it’s great energy. You can just hit me up via my DM’s on social media @realtinuke or at my booking email booktinuke@gmail.com. And I’m currently wrapping up my EP, looking to drop in 2021. In the mean time you can expect more singles, music videos, as well as collaborations.
Watch the video for ‘Rara’ and stream here: https://ffm.to/
Instagram: realtinuke
Twitter: @realtinuke
Facebook: Tinuke
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Fashion
Why Ghanaian-American Jeffrey Ampratwum is the menswear expert to watch in fashion!
At the start of the Victoria era, early 19th century – the English began to tone down the royal style dressing of the French army, namely those adorned in prestigious regalia and heavy embroidery. It was a sign of English nationalism and sparked a new wave of appearance in men. A few decades later, the suit was born and heavily influenced those in Italy and America. The British and the Americans have a rich revolutionary history, of course, and coincidentally the British colonized the African country – Gold Coast – until 1957 when they declared their independence and changed their name to Ghana.
As part of an independent Ghana, a host of individuals began to exercise new freedoms and venture out of the country into new territories. Many Ghanaians set their eyes on American travel and a wave of trail blazers left the country and settled in the infamous New York City. For most, it was an opportunity to plant new seeds in the hopes that their children would be afforded even more opportunities for a prosperous life.
One of these children of the diaspora is Bronx-born Jeffrey Ampratwum. The only child to Kate Bampoe and Eugene Asante-Ampratwum Mpere, who met in the Bronx after immigrating from Ghana. The dynamics of having African parents and being raised in a heavily eclectic environment gave rise to Jeffrey’s style and prose. More importantly, we can honestly say that there are only a handful of Ghanaian-Americans living in the states that can exhibit a special presentation that reflects both their African heritage married with the esthetic of their nationality. We recently caught up with Jeffrey to discuss how his early influences provided him with a framework to now become such a strong force in the menswear industry in fashion.
AD: Jeffrey, Ɛte sɛn?
Jeff: Haha, Eye.
AD: I had to test your Twi really quick! You know most Ghanaians who are born in the states don’t have a clue about the language unless it’s spoken fiercely in the home.
Jeff: You are 100% correct with that. Ha. But for me, I was lucky in that my mother took me to Ghana before I even knew how to use words. So, in actuality, Twi was the first language and vocabulary I learned, and in essence, English is my second language. So, I’m really decent when it comes to using Twi. I’m a cheat code! But keep that quiet. Ha.
AD: How much of the remnants of the Ghanaian culture factored into your approach to your style and presentation?
Jeff: When I was younger and in school, particularly in the Bronx – it wasn’t always your proudest moment to be from Africa or to say your family was African. Part of the silly embarrassment was perhaps from the narratives that were spinning on television. Americans were being indoctrinated with visuals of “feed the children” which only highlighted the extreme poverty in a few Africans countries. The images and broadcasts were all the same, for decades. So called philanthropist and humanitarians took camera crews into ravaged areas and televised starving children for us to see here in the states. I believe that had a profound effect on young boys and girls born from African parents.
However, as for me – I always looked at being dark skinned and being deeply rooted into my African culture as a super power. I liked the idea of being different, even though all the kids in all my classes were also children of immigrants. They just couldn’t grasp the concept of it at that time. So, from there, it was showtime. My Uncle, Joseph Ken Mintah – was the pioneer as the first in the family to travel to the states – he had extreme style. My mother also is very detailed with her sense of jewelry and fragrances. I adsorbed it all.
AD: Did you start dressing in traditional African attire? What do you mean exactly?
Jeff: Not exactly! But, being an only child really allowed for me to sit deep in thought for long periods of time. Being left-handed allowed for me to be extremely dexterous and detailed. And being raised solely by my mother further allowed me to pay attention to the importance of clothing and accessories – as she dressed herself each morning. It was the ultimate cocktail and I was already drunk with creativity. I started customizing all the clothes I had. By no means were we wealthy, so I had to manage just a few outfits for school.
My styling began when I would turn 5 outfits into 15 – so essentially, a 5-day school week became New York Fashion Week for me. I would airbrush my sneakers, turn Old Navy sweaters inside out for a fleece appeal, and cuff my jeans in 4 different ways depending on my footwear. This soon became a bad habit and made me late for school many mornings.
AD: You see, if you are late to school in Ghana back then – you might as well have sat by the road to hide from both your mother and headmaster! What was college like for you then?
Jeff: Right! Ha. It grew legs during my undergrad. Now all the pretty girls were around, I had more freedom to come and go, and more importantly – I had a stage to showcase my style. I joined a student club in the SEEK Program, and soon became the President and started hosting a string of events based around fashion. 4 years and a bachelors degree later, there were 6 fashion shows and 3 beauty pageants under my belt. Huge successes. I started to doubt my real educational reason for attending college, which was to become a dentist. Fashion was dancing on one shoulder and dentistry on the other. But somehow, I figured out how to still involve the two. My best buddy, Kenny – whom I met at the college on the road to become dentists – made it through. So, I live vicariously through him. And now, coincidentally – together we’ve developed a brand – a service of bespoke mens luxury shoes and women’s handbags, and ready to wear womenswear shoes as well. Named, Kenjeffreys. It is serendipitous because all of the products are sourced and handcrafted in Haiti and infused with Ghanaian culture. As Kenny is from Haiti, we properly employ artisans within the community and focus heavily on our social impact.
Following undergrad, I then began at FIT as student, really just trying to test my styling hand – and to learn more about the industry. While there, I came across extremely talented and knowledgeable fashion professionals that have really guided me. Namely, Sadia Seymour and Joseph DeAcetis. Both wildly experienced, patient and embedded with a wealth of information. Respectfully in womenswear and menswear. You cannot beat that, and I am grateful for it.
AD: That is strangely unique and admirable. Talk to us about how all those experiences and inspirations give rise to the Jeffrey or Che we see today and ultimately, where that places you in your field of fashion and menswear.
Jeff: Sure. Great point. I have been indoctrinated by the basic principles of creativity as an adolescent – with respect to clothing. That is extremely hard to shake. Innately, styling was my ultimate form of communication, seeing that I was a shy introvert. So now, I still revert back to those same feelings…. the feeling of home, warmth, memories, great food and innocent fun. My approach now is exactly the same in the sense that when I am dressing, styling or designing for someone – I am taking into account their entire repertoire and holding a mirror in front of them which reflects the items that they love most. It is a skill that perhaps only empaths are only able to exhibit.
Having the ability to read into thoughts and connecting with the motivating spirits that drives people – is a gift. I ran the New York City marathon three times, and the 2nd time I ran it in a tuxedo! It was my ultimate homage and pledging of allegiance to fashion. Ha.
I also believe my extensive traveling experience has aided to the arsenal. Recent trips to Ghana always resets a creative instinct with me, as I look around and arrive back to a place of self-awareness. It feels right. My cousin Harry knows where to be to capture the real essence of the land. And, coincidentally enough, I am often back and forth to the UK as well. Savile row in London, England -as you know – is a menswear connoisseur’s Disney Land. It is the traditional hub for the world’s best tailored-bespoke suits. Naples and Florence are a close second. However, sartorially, the British have etched their names in the fine-art making of the suit. I do though spend most of my time in Brighton, UK. It’s where my love is and also like a second home for me. The culture there is infused with various styles and the community is inviting. The Duchess of Brighton-Hove, Lady Donna and her amazing friends will assure that you have a great time!
AB: Finally, talk to us about your styling approach with respect to specific talent that you work with.
Jeff: Definitely. This is perhaps an area you cannot teach. It is learned with years of experience and even reading the room wrong most times. I tell my fashion students often that they have to continue shooting airballs at the basket. Get out the miss shots, now – and properly learn your subjects. For example, if I am styling a celebrity for the red carpet – several nuances are to be considered before arriving at a dress or a tuxedo. Such as, what stages in life is your talent currently in, how body conscious are they and what are they most nostalgic about. These (and some of my other secrets that I cannot give away) are the pillars to nailing great style, image and presentation.
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