Ba'Ponga is an intimidating figure, six-feet tall or more with a large full frame but dressed casually.

CNN: The tiny African nation that's a rappers' delight

In fact, that inspirational message is the cornerstone of Ba'Ponga's music.

CNN: The tiny African nation that's a rappers' delight

Plants fight for space: ponga (silver tree fern), cabbage trees, manuka (tea tree), and pohutukawa (a coastal evergreen tree), which cling to the land at the sea's edge.

BBC: All at sea in New Zealand

On the day of my hip hop tour of Gabon, the government sponsored a free streetside concert with Amenem, Tina and Ba'Ponga warming up the stage for Senegalese-born U.S hip-hop star Akon.

CNN: The tiny African nation that's a rappers' delight