If there is anyone who concretizes hit song, Rapper Guru first comes into the minds of many before any other name.
Since Hiplife became an acceptable music in Ghana and the world at large, Guru has left an impregnable print on the genre. Annually as if that is a ritual, Guru gives Ghanaians and his fans across the world a mantra to celebrate with.
His popular ‘Boys Abr3’ phrase was used as a description in parliament where the minority borrowed it to describe a budget of the majority. Not ending in the august parliament house, anyone in Ghana till date uses the ‘Boys Abr3’ phrase to express ‘surfeitness.’ ‘Pooley,’ ‘Alkayida ,’ ‘Obaa Jack Chan,’ ‘Kpa kpa kpa,’ ‘Nyame be tua wo ka’ amongst others signify how Guru is able to get the ears, mouth and minds of his audience always.
What comes to mind when an Artiste is mentioned? For many, a word to describe an Artiste would be a big problem but for Guru, he has carefully and consistently drummed in the minds of people that he is a wordsmith Rapper. His brand position has been one which is seen by many as the Rapper extraordinaire and if he is to even sing, it would magnet many to want to hear how he did it on a song; his brand position has been a ‘Great Rapper’ and nothing else.
The growth in Guru’s music and his brand is enviable. From a very despondent beginning, Guru has grown his brand to suit the contemporary market demand and style. His music videos which used to be the topic of the critics is now history. He has understood that, to get quality, a lot needs to be spent on a brand and that has influenced his choice of top Music Video Directors and video locations across the world.
‘When you are fortunate to get the door opened for you, you leave it for others and not shut it behind you.’ Guru after breaking through with ‘Kasaibo’ with Obrafour has used himself as a spring board to help project amateur talents into limelight. Popular among names he has helped include Cartoon, Fritz, Kin Dee, Frema, Cash 2, among others.
Franchising has become something popular amongst Ghanaian ‘Showbizers’ and Guru has a stake there as well. He is out with his brand of clothes and footwear with the name ‘Guru.’ According to the Management of Guru, they want their fans to live the brand and that influenced them to go into fashion. They (Management) reveal that, they see many people who print Guru’s face on T-Shirts and other accessories and it is indirectly telling them that they want to live the ‘Guru lifestyle’ and hence their decision to come out with Guru brand of fashion.
Think of 3 great Rappers in Ghana and you will struggle with your conscience if you leave Guru’s name out.
Author: Nana Kwesi Coomson (www.233times.net)