Taffy Ghazali is a rapper and songwriter based in Jos. He is a Yoruba boy from Oyo state. Although he is a man of few words, Taffy is well known for his smooth play of words, rhymes, and lyricism. He has participated in many rap competitions, including the TomTom breathe for it verse challenge. During our discussion, he reveals that he would probably be a professional footballer if he wasn’t doing music.
He is currently signed to Avant-Garde.
We spoke to Taffy and he shared with us some parts of his journey in the music industry so far.
how long have you been In The Music Industry and how has the journey been so far?
Well I started music in 2015 but I started writing rhymes and stuff way back before 2015 so from 2015 down to now I’ve been doing my thing and I thank God cause I’ve been in a lot of Instagram competitions and I’ve won some and so being here too at the MBA Talent Project is another win for me.
Indeed, it is a big win to be on the biggest platform promoting the creation of an excellent entertainment workforce in the whole of Africa- The Music Business Academy for Africa. Welcome to the Talent Project once again, Taffy Ghazali.
I see you’ve been putting in the work over the years. So, what will you say is your biggest motivation and influence so far
The need to succeed and matter pushes me. I’m not desperate but it keeps me going and inspires me to do more.
That’s great. So, apart from your motivation, what would you say your creative process is like, when you’re in the zone creating music?
Omo, it’s wit, comedy, intelligence, and a lot of punch lines. I just do my stuff and infuse a lot of punchlines, wordplay, and weirdness in my music so that it does it for me when I’m writing.
Can you give us like two punchlines straight up, we request and Taffy laughs as he delivers a one-liner.
Okay. Boo let’s proof na you enter my vest. That was smooth, I say amidst laughter.
You guys can laugh now, it’s not that serious– Irebamiji chips in and the whole room roars with laughter and applause.
That’s nice, this means your creative process is kind of spontaneous?
Yes, but don’t forget weirdness. Weirdness and comedy.
But you don’t give me any weird vibes, I respond.
Are you sure? … The only plane you’ve been on is when I write your name on A4
[crowd goes “hmmm” with excitement. Laughter, and applause as Taffy Ghazali drops another line] I love that. it’s really nice. I have always envied rappers and their ability to come up with something witty in seconds. Don’t be deceived though. As a writer, I have one or two bars as well, only that I haven’t gone to Law School yet.
Check out Taffy’s cover of BlaqBonez Back in Uni below!
How has your experience been so far in the Talent Project, from the moment you filled the application and was picked, up to this moment and what has been your most memorable moment so far
Omo, I’m really glad to be here man. Before MBA… I registered on the last day when they posted I was in the top 30… in public voting. I got to the top 15… It was nice. I was hoping to be picked from the top 15 but I wasn’t. Then on the 29th, I received a call from MBA that something had happened, and I’m the runner-up because I came 8th on the voting platform. So I was now the 7th artist. I was really happy. Coming down here from Jos to Lagos, was also good. I came to Lagos, not much traffic, traffic dey but just small.
Welcome to Lagos, Taffy Ghazali, that’s our trademark here, the Lagos starter pack. Although he experienced some difficulties with his flight down to Lagos but it got sorted eventually.
Everything was great. I had to eat first and then they told me, hey, just go and start listening to music. I heard a lot of nice songs. But not much for me. So, the house where the artists were, and then the moderators, the place was really fun. The artists are really nice… we’re eating food…
[laughter]
We gats chop now… no be say we dey suffer
I second this anyways, food is necessary. Sometimes, all you need to do at first is eat in any situation.
So, seeing creatives around me really inspires me so I’ve been doing my thing, I’m writing music so… better expect fire.
That was what I was about to ask you next… What are we expecting?
It’s fire! fire! Molten magma, the one that does not cool and solidifies into rock. Taffy has done it again!
It is just hot. Fire is coming. he responds. Patiently, we await the fire.
It was really fun discussing with Taffy Ghazali, He reveals he is a lover of video games, fried rice with salad, and big fried fish, and he is also a footballer, though not professionally. He plays the number 7 position like CR7.
Connect with Taffy Ghazali and listen to his songs here- @taffyghazali | Twitter, Instagram | Linktree
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