Ghanaian rapper Lyrical Joe has revealed that losing his parents at a young age became the driving force behind his resilience, work ethic, and eventual rise in music.
Speaking in an interview on TV3’s Afternoon Show with host Godwin Namboh on Thursday, February 26, the rapper shared how life “happened very fast” for him after he lost both parents at the age of 12.
According to Lyrical Joe, the tragedy was both a blessing and a curse. While it forced him to grow up quickly, it also instilled in him a mindset of survival and determination.
“There was nowhere to run to. I had no excuse to fail, so I just had to go hard,” he said, explaining how the experience pushed him to keep going despite the odds.
The rapper disclosed that it was during this difficult period that he began writing music intensely. Although he did not start rapping immediately, writing became his escape and emotional outlet. By the age of 12, he was already filling notebooks with lyrics.
Music, he explained, had always been part of his life. Growing up in Accra, Lyrical Joe was first introduced to music through reggae, thanks to his father’s love for the genre. His earliest musical influence was legendary Jamaican musician Bob Marley.
“I could perform Bob Marley songs for my father’s friends. Everyone knew I loved music,” he recalled.
His transition into hip-hop came later through his brother, who was already rapping at the time. While staying with his sister after relocating from Accra, Lyrical Joe would often receive calls from his brother asking for verses and with limited access to technology, he would read his lyrics directly from his notebooks over the phone.
Those moments, he said, marked the real beginning of his journey in music.
Today, Lyrical Joe is widely respected for his lyrical depth and authenticity, qualities he believes are rooted in his early life experiences.
His story stands as a powerful reminder of how pain, when channeled with purpose, can become fuel for greatness.
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