Music of Sunday, 18 January 2004

Source: ghanamusic.com

Kenya Where Are You?

Although he has faced and continues to face some ups and downs in the hiplife game, Lord Kenya remains an icon on the hiplife scene.

 

Lord Kenya current looks ? his bushy hairstyle and all ? has put to rest the question as to whether he was bald or not. Kenya came onto the music scene with a clean shaven head and kept it for so long that people thought he was bald.

 

However, Kenya?s absence on the stage is raising a lot of questions and stories. The Mirror is in touch with the champ and will soon find out what?s really up with him!

 

His latest album, Aka esi ani, is gradually warming its way into the dance halls and radio stations but his fans are missing his amazing stage-craft and hyperactive dance steps.

 

With four hiplife albums, and four top awards, it undoubtedly true that Lord Kenya has carved a niche for himself. His third album run onto the top of the music charts for 34 weeks, which remains a feat yet to be attained by any other hiplife artiste.

 

In an earlier interview with the Mirror, Lord Kenya said ?this album is a continuation of the work that begun in my previous four albums. I?ve put everything together that is why the album has the title Aka esi ani, literally meaning putting all the forces together?.

 

Kenya said emphatically that his album touches on all facets of life ? the everyday experiences in life inspires my works ? the hardships, the social-political terrain as well as love.

 

The album which is produced by Mount Kenya Records with Lord Kenya himself as Executive Producer is distributed by Kaakyire Music Production, has eight songs featuring artistes such as Legendary Pat Thomas, the late Terry Bonchaka and Mokin also known as Gyatabi, who does the hoarse dancehall raga to add some spices to the songs.

 

Lord Kenya recalled the days when he struggled to establish himself. When I did my first big show, I didn?t do very well, but I was determined, so I rehearsed properly and my next show was a boom! And I?ve never turned my back ever since that time?.

 

Asked about the future of hiplife, Kenya said ?There is a bright future for hiplife. You see, hiplife is our brand of music that will go international market to represent Ghana just like hiphop represents America. I?m striving to hit the international market and we are very confident that very soon we shall be there.?