Yaa Pono has played down any suggestion of lingering tension between himself and fellow rappers Sarkodie and Shatta Wale, insisting that their history of diss songs should not be mistaken for personal grudges.
The Tema-based rapper said his exchanges with the two artistes were largely part of the competitive nature of rap and the business of showbiz, rather than evidence of personal problems.
Addressing his relationship with Sarkodie, Yaa Pono said there is no bad blood between them and described the award-winning rapper as his “industry brother”.
“There’s no problem between Sarkodie and me. I’m just doing my music. I have to rap. He is my industry brother, and you know how rap business is,” he said.
Yaa Pono explained that rap often involves artistes asserting their dominance, and not every boastful or competitive line should automatically be interpreted as a direct attack on another artiste.
He pointed to his own beginnings in rap battles, where artistes traditionally meet face-to-face and exchange lyrical jabs as part of the competition.
According to him, that competitive spirit remains part of his music, particularly when he feels the need to establish himself as one of the best rappers.
He questioned why a line expressing his own confidence or supremacy should necessarily be interpreted as a diss aimed at Sarkodie.
“If I feel in my spirit I am the best, it is up to me to hype it. So if outsiders see this as beef, then it’s on them. But to me, I am just doing my music,” he said.
On his relationship with Shatta Wale, Yaa Pono was equally dismissive of the idea that their previous diss songs should prevent them from working together.
“I do not have a problem working with Shatta Wale,” he said.
The rapper explained that although they have recorded diss songs aimed at each other in the past, he considers such exchanges part of the business and competitive nature of the music industry.
He said he does not allow personal issues to dictate his professional decisions and would have no difficulty approaching Shatta Wale for a collaboration if he believes a song requires his contribution.
Yaa Pono said the same applies to Sarkodie, noting that if he records a song and believes either artiste would bring the right energy to it, he would simply reach out.
For him, the ability to separate competition from personal relationships is part of navigating the music business.
