Giant Taking Giant Strides - Zapp Mallet

Zapp Mallet is an ace music producer with particular interests in all genres of Ghana’s highlife music. He has worked for and with some seasoned Ghanaian musicians, notably Pat Thomas, Charles Amoah, Nana Tuffour, Ofori Amponsah, Lord Kenya, Kofi Bee, Obour, Obrafour, Praye, Samini, Daddy Lumba, now known as DL, Reggie Rockstone, Nana Quame, Wutah, Daasebre Gyamena, the late Michael Dwamena, then Akyeame and Okyeame Kwame. He has been in the music scene for a very long time and has worked with the Gothe Institute to produce various high life concerts.   

Although he produces different genres of music, he is very passionate about the highlife beats and the various forms it comes in. He never studied beat production in any school and is currently one of the few Ghanaian beat producers who for professional reasons do not put their names on their beats. He has an appreciable level of fame through his good works and has grown to become a household name across the country. Many of the hits he has made so far and with the sort of persons he has worked with have all endeared him to the hearts of especially those in the industry and those who appreciate good music. He has been a resident judge of the Charter House organized Stars Of The Future Talent Hunt. 

Zapp has been running his Title Track Productions Company for all this while. He has never worked with any other company all his life and his work involves producing music beats for various genres. Additionally, he has trained other beat producers. He recently won an award and a recognition for Hiplife and Hiphop development at the Music Of Ghanaian Origin Dinner and Awards Ceremony held in December last year. At the time he started, most of his colleagues were working with other organizations. He could have actually worked with an organization and gotten paid at the end of every month but he by-passed that option and went on with his beat production. It definitely was not easy going on this path. His father made it clear to him that he better makes money for himself because after he has paid for his education, Zapp was then fully responsible for turning his life around. He remained resolute and by dint of hard work, he has come thus far. He went through being broke, not getting paid for beats, and so many other frustrations yet he kept his head up high. Having a supportive wife also helps a lot. Mrs. Martha Mallet supported her husband’s dream ever since they met and this has propelled him to hold on despite the many challenges.

Earlier this year, Zapp celebrated his forty eighth birthday and twenty five years in this profession. The product of Aggrey Memorial Preparatory School, Accra Academy and KNUST happens to be the only child of his parents with two half sisters from his mother. He is married with two daughters. While growing up, his elder cousins always picked on him. Whenever he reported their teasing to his dad, he (his dad) would ask whether he indeed was all that they were saying. When he answered no, his father would then tell him not to be bothered. Because of these particular incidents, he is able to ignore a lot of pressure and negativity. Once whatever is being said by somebody is not true, he just grows numb to it. 

Most children have certain dream jobs while growing up. Emmanuel Mallet (his real name) wanted to be in music and entertainment right from his childhood. He loved the arts with a passion and sought to make it a reality for himself. What motivates him to keep on doing what he has been doing for all these twenty five years is the desire to be the best, to outdo himself and to leave an indelible impact on Ghanaian music.

There is a wish so dear to the heart of this gentle giant. That wish is for Ghanaian music to be taken more seriously by Ghanaians, be they beat producers, singers, rappers, song writers or performers. He would spend a typical day recording, mixing or mastering music. He relates to people in a free and open manner but with caution because he does not believe in putting his trust in man. Other people confer that Zapp is a strict and firm person to deal with. He believes his greatest contribution to humanity yet is his kind heart and creativity. It gladdens his heart when he is able to achieve certain targets he sets for himself with each project he works on.

Title Track, just like any other such company sometimes has issues with getting paid for services. Emmanuel has found a way around people who generally do not like to pay for his services by avoiding working with them or making sure there will be a barter system where each person will get something for services done.

Asked one thing about his job which he would love to educate people on, Zapp was not hesitant to mention that it is really not as easy as people think it is. He educates himself a lot with any opportunity he gets. He admonishes every other person to be respectful of themselves and other people. He adds that it is imperative to learn and study and be abreast with issues, whether or not they are directly linked to ones profession. His favorite quote of all time is that life is short so make the best out of it.