Rapper Yaa Pono believes he could have achieved more as a musician in Ghana had it not been for the stage name he adopted early in his music career.
Solomon Adu Antwi, known in the music circles as ‘Yaa Pono’ says it was difficult for the media to accept his stage name perhaps because of the sexual connotation (Pono).
“I have very powerful songs but the media houses I went to prefer that I changed my name before they played my songs. I suffered this for a long time but it is better now,” he told Showbiz in an interview on Tuesday.
He said he would have been a big artiste by now if the media had supported him and given him the push they had given to his colleagues in the industry.
Yaa Pono, who now prefers to be called Pono Biom, said despite several attempts to explain that PONO meant Prince Of New Origin, people had refused to accept it.
“I am tired of explaining the meaning of PONO. It is an acronym for Prince Of New Origin (PONO) and I don’t care, however, anyone wants to interpret it,” he said.
Despite the bashing upon bearing that name, the Best Rapper, Best Hiplife Artiste and Best Collaboration at the Ghana Music Awards UK say nothing will make him change the name.
“I have had this name for a decade and nothing will make me change it because I have achieved a lot with it and I love it.
“I think the problem people have with the name is the Pono part which I have explained on several occasions,” he stated.
“Pono Biom is one of the best artists when it comes to stagecraft and no one can dispute that,” he said.
Yaa Pono has had hit songs like Amen, Gbee Naabu and Obiaa Wone Master which he featured Stonebwoy.
Pono said his new album would be ready early next year.
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