By Seli Baisie
Ghanaian singer and songwriter Baaba J has revealed how she discovered her musical identity by writing in Ga, a Ghanaian language, while blending it with Western influences.
In an interview on GTV’s Breakfast Show with host Jay Gabrah, the 22-year-old shared how she initially struggled with her sound.
“When I started making music, my first producer told me my sound was too Western,” she said. “I didn’t want to change my genre, but I also wanted people to feel that my music was truly Ghanaian. So, I started writing in Ga—and the rest is history.”
A Fusion of Sounds
Baaba J, whose real name is Jemima Baaba Haywood-Dadzie, describes her music as Afro-fusion, blending highlife, pop, rap, and soul. She incorporates traditional African instruments such as acoustic guitar, live drums, and percussion, giving her sound a distinct feel.
“My music is very African,” she said. “I always want the instruments to reflect that—acoustic guitar, live drums, and strong rhythms—but I also fuse folk, indie, and pop elements to create my own style.”
How It All Started
Baaba J’s journey into music began during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 when she started writing and recording with her cousin, producer Merk.
“I was at home, bored, and didn’t know what to do,” she recalled. “Before then, I was writing music, but I wasn’t taking it seriously. My cousin and I decided to put a project together, and by the end of 2020, we had my first EP, Lumumba St., ready,” the Ah Well hitmaker disclosed.
At the time, she had no industry connections.
“I put the EP on distribution platforms, but nobody knew me. It just sat there,” she said. “Then in 2021, someone heard it, and suddenly people were interested. Labels reached out, and I was completely taken by surprise.”
Lessons from the Journey
Reflecting on her growth, Baaba J emphasized the importance of creative freedom.
“I love that I started making music when nobody knew me. I had no manager, no expectations, no pressure. I was free to experiment,” she said.
Despite studying engineering, she eventually chose to pursue music and film full-time.
“I thought I wanted to be a banker, an air hostess, even a footballer at some point,” she admitted. “But after university, I knew I wanted to be an artist.”
Looking Ahead
Baaba J continues to push boundaries in Ghana’s music industry, staying true to her unique sound.
With her ever-evolving artistry, she remains a rising force in alternative Afro-music, determined to carve her own path.
