Upper East-based dancehall artiste Adiipi has defended lyrical rivalries in dancehall music, arguing that “beef” helps artistes display their lyrical strength and contributes to the growth of the music industry.
Speaking on Dreamz FM’s Work Stretch programme hosted by DJ Skimmy, Adiipi said lyrical confrontations are part of dancehall culture and should not always be viewed as personal attacks.
“For the dancehall culture, beef is part of it,” he said. “It gives a platform where artistes can show their lyrical capabilities.”
The artiste made the remarks while discussing his latest song, “VRE,” a track filled with lyrical jabs and competitive energy directed at unnamed rivals within the music space.
During the interview, Adiipi repeatedly challenged other artistes to lyrical battles, insisting that titles such as “king” or “undertaker” in the music industry must be earned through talent and performance.
“You can’t call yourself a king without a crown,” he said during a freestyle session on the programme.
Adiipi argued that some musicians focus more on hype and fame than meaningful music that listeners can connect with.
“Nowadays some people are not doing music for people to sit down and listen to and get messages from. They are doing it for hype,” he stated.
The artiste also acknowledged the criticism and pressure musicians face, noting that artistes are often expected to live flashy lifestyles to prove their success.
According to him, staying authentic has been one of the hardest parts of his music journey.
“I cannot be something to please others. I’m just trying to be myself,” he said.
Adiipi added that while the music industry comes with both love and hate, he remains focused on his growth and artistic identity.
“A thousand people will love you and a thousand people will hate you, so just do yours,” he said.
The artiste ended the interview with energetic freestyle performances and hints of future collaborations with several northern Ghana musicians.
