Behind every success lies a driving narrative. This is exactly the case of US-based Ghanaian prolific rapper/storyteller V12 Originator, who realised his potential after failing to impress his crush with borrowed lyrics.
Known in real life as Swaletz Oppong Kontoh Boampong, ‘V12 Originator’ is a 29-year-old rapper and storyteller who uses music to express most of what people are afraid to say. His lyrics come from raw world experiences, and he aims to make people feel every word.
In 2007, he memorised Hiplife legend Bice Osie Kuffuor, better known as Obour, and Highlife legend AB Crentsil’s ‘Juliana’ word for word.
On his path to realising his potential as a rapper, one day, he wanted to impress his crush, who was schooling at Dormaa Senior High School. The lady used to visit the rapper’s dad, who was a teacher at the school.
He rapped the song to her, feeling confident, but she shut it down, saying she had heard it so many times.
This inspired him to write his first rap. He then rapped it to her, and she was convinced. That was the first time he realised he had the potential to influence people, and that voice needed to be heard.
V12 is a man with balanced facets. Aside from being a prolific rapper and storyteller, he is also a service engineer.
He is a well-rounded person with one foot in the technical structure of life and the other in the creative, unpredictable world of music. V12 Originator is set to release his debut commercial single titled ‘Tonga”.
Recorded at Hustle Hard Studio in Tema, “Tonga” is set to be released in May and is expected to top charts and win several awards.
