Ghanaian rapper, Eno Barony has paid glowing tribute to her senior colleague, Mzbel in her recent BBC interview.
Eno Baron, whose lyrical skill is considered a tour de force opened up to the BBC in the 27-minute Hiplife Rewind Documentary.
“My name “Eno” means Mother in my native language Twi. That’s the name my dad gave to me and somehow, someway divine intervention, I’m like the mother of rap in Ghana,” she said
The documentary also features other vanguards of the Ghanaian Hip-life scene including Reggie Rockstone who pioneered the sound, Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, and filmmaker Abraham Ohene–Djan.
Cameo appearances from the likes of M.anifest, Kidi, Kuami Eugene and Eno Barony are also critical in the storytelling of the documentary.
Eno said one of her earliest musical inspirations was the “16 Years” singer who has had a successful career spanning 20 years.
“If I’m the mother of rap the Mzbel is like the grandmother,” she pointed out.
Mzbel’s bad-girl vibe in the mid-2000s had a strong impact on the youth culture of that era.
“Every girl I knew at that time was dressing like Mzbel. It was a pleated short skirt with a crop and a little jungle bag. Mzbel’s songs were the number-one songs played on the streets because all the girls were dancing to: ‘I be 16 Years’” she said nostalgically
Born Ruth Eno Adjoa Amankwah Nyame Adom, the 31-year-old disclosed that she had experienced fat-shaming in the industry and developed insecurities.
“When I came into the music industry, I never saw girls my size. Most of the girls I was seeing were skinnier and people were always talking about my image so it was bothering me,” she revealed
She would later let go of societal expectations and stereotypes and pursue her craft.
“I accepted myself for who I am, I did a song called ‘Heavy Load’,” Eno Barony said. She noted the track opened her eyes to fans of hers who looked up to her and appreciated her,” she said.
Eno Barony is the first female winner of the Rapper of the Year both at the VGMA and 3 Music awards beating heavyweights including Sarkodie, Joey B, Amerado and Medikal.