Ball J
Ball J was a pioneering member of the Skillions Records[4] when it began on the campus of Presbyterian Boys' Senior High School–Legon (PRESEC).
He worked together with Jayso, the label's founder and formed a genre which they called GH Rap[5] (hip hop made in Ghana).
[12] Albert Hanson or Nana Serebo, also known in the music industry as Ball J, was born in Adabraka in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana, on 8 November 1984.
After School, Ball J decided to have a full-time career in music production with the aim of making Hip hop for himself.
He then had to rely on books and seek advice from pioneers in music production such as Kwame Twum, a former bass guitarist for the legendary Kojo Antwi.
While learning the trade, he made his first professional hit "Temperature" which featured some of his friends who were part of the Nu Afrika Records; Shao Qan, Krynkman and Screech.
After that, Ball J produced a lot of songs for both the underground and known artists, but his major milestone was Lapaz Toyota by Guru.
The song put Guru on the map in a big way, and significantly improved Ball J's music studio business.
As the song blew up, all kinds of artists came to Ball J in the hopes of reproducing Lapaz Toyota's success.
[14][15] He then started working with artists like Kojo Antwi, Guru, Obour [the current president of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA)], Tic Tac, Sarkodie, Kwawkese, Stay Jay, Gasmilla, Okra, Nhyiraba Kojo, Obrafour, Castro and the list goes on.
On 21 December 2012, Ball J released his first Hip hop single "All Eyes On You"[16] from his upcoming album "Home and Away" which received credible response and airplay from both Africa and the Western.
The album has six songs in total as in its name and features only three Ghanaian artiste; Choirmaster, Sarkodie and Stonebwoy all on one track "Poolside Jam".
[20] The single also contains samples of the series’ soundtracks over Hip hop drums which was written and produced by Ball J himself.
The record does not only appreciate the TV show, it also draws some attention to the Ghanaian music industry, specifically tackling issues facing the battle for the rap king in Ghana.
Ball J has contributed a lot to the Ghana Music Industry, he can be named among top 10 famous Ghanaians who made the Azonto genre and dance popular worldwide.
For more than a decade now, they have been producing, recording and managing most of Ghana's prominent Hiplife and Hip hop musicians like Guru, Kwawkese, Ntelabi, Nhyiraba Kojo, Sarkodie etc.
Amongst Ball J's numerous talents is his voice with which he does Radio and Television commercials, Jingles and all forms of advertisements including branding of products, goods and services.
Ball J is currently working with Mr Ivan Quashigah; director for the popular TV series "Things We Do For Love" and "YOLO".
His debut track Number 9 (produced by Ball J) which featured hiplife heavyweight Kwawkese was released a few months ago and is steadily climbing the charts.
After T-Kube left Ghana for the United Kingdom in 2000, Jayso began recruiting young rappers and singers like himself.
Jayso later joined the Haatsville Music Group led by Kwame Barfour Osei popularly known as Kobi Onyame.
He formed the New Generation Skillions, which consisted of Lil'Shaker, Bra Kevinbeats, Joey B, Grafik, Killmatic, Paapa, Rumor, Noble, Padlock, The Third and Gemini.
