Okra He makes the world go round with the amazing things he does. He keeps the world guessing. He is one of the most intriguing artistes of 2004. He came virtually from nowhere and has had the world at his feet.
Real name Emmanuel Ralph Nikoi Kotei, Okra is hiplife?s revelation of the year and is set to continue in 2005 where he left off in 2004. Born to Mr Vincent Kotey and Mrs Grace Armah in Accra-La, Okra had his elementary education at St. John?s Preparatory and J.S.S and then proceeded to Accra Technical Training Centre (A.T.T.C) to pursue Recreational Vehicle Trade (R.V.T).
With so much love for music, Okra decided to go into the music industry despite any hindrances in the year 1999 when he was in school. He started by writing his own lyrics in Twi whilst in school. Later on, he was introduced to Hammer of the Last 2 by a very close friend of his by name Steven Addae Jnr. Hammer also took it from there and started coaching him since he saw the talent in him.
It was during that time that he got to meet other prolific hiplife artistes like Tinny (new artiste of the year 2003), Dogo, Obrafuor (song writer of the year 2003) and the likes. In an interview with Ghana Music.Com, Okra explained why he didn?t hesitate in being part of the Last 2 when he was given the opportunity.
?Well, everyone knows Last 2 is a family made up of underground rappers and hiphop soldiers and I think I am such of calibre? he said. Ooh, that is his other name too, Tom Dawidi folks. Asked why he chose to call himself Okra Tom Dawidi, he said ? I named myself Okra because I wanted to play this kind of cat and mouse game in the industry with Tinny the mouse (Kwakwe) and in English Okra means cat thus I am the cat (Okra) and he (Tinny) is the mouse (Kwakwe)?.
?Tom was added to Okra because in that cat and mouse cartoon titled Tom and Jerry, Tom is the cat and Jerry is the mouse so I then took the name upon myself since Tinny is already the mouse (Kwakwe)?.
?Dawidi was also included because David defeated his enemy Goliath and that means that I am also here to defeat my enemies and come out big. So folks, now you know the meanings behind the name Okra Tom Dawidi?.
Okra?s capabilities and potentiality really impressed Hammer and made him introduce him to the sensational artiste, Obrafuor. Obrafuor was carried away by his style and therefore asked him to do a single track which was going to be on the Execution?s Diary (Obrafour?s compilation album). From there a deal was in the cooking.
In 2004, the Execution?s Diary was born and his single track titled ?Ayekoo? which features Tinny has and is still receiving much airplay. When he performed his ?Ayekoo? track in Kumasi at the Prempeh College Hall during the launching of the Execution?s Diary, the ladies were screaming and swooning and the guys were moving and grooving to his style.
No wonder those who have seen him testify that he moves the crowd into frantic ecstasy. Some even rank him as the next big to happen after Obrafuor in terms of writing and composing. Yeah! All the salty gossips ran the line like ?he is the next Obrafuor?.
Apart from being featured on the Execution?s Diary, he has done a lot of featuring with artistes such as Okyeame Kojo Kum, Quata, Bohye Ba, Nsidie and Togbe Africa and is set to feature on the new album of Tinny, Castro, Kwaw Kese, Kokovelli and Obayifoo.
He will also be featured on Hammer?s compilation album which will be out possibly this year. Check this out: he has started recording his album which will be out soon and has some artistes like Tinny, Shee, Castro, Kwaw Kese, Frimpong, David and Motia who will be doing the featuring.
Presently, he is being managed by his brother Kotei Neequaye and also being helped by Bola Ray of Joy FM and Tony Pun (manager of Batman). His last words were ?Expect my album soon and try to do the right thing?.
No question Okra will dominate the industry with his poetry. That?s exactly how Obrafuor and the likes dropped onto the music scene. Already he is dominating the industry with his microphone tactics. He is a lyricist who paints pictures with words and some describe him as a dude who is sleek and whose wordplay is seasoned. ?He is a good writer who makes brilliant music? a young fanatic said.
After his sterling performances at the Celebration Night Club during the launching of the Execution?s Diary, Music Music (the most entertaining show in Ghana) and the Labadi Beach, he has left a mark in the hearts of Ghanaians. Unlike most child stars who make it when they are kids, only to fall apart when they grow up, Emmanuel Ralph Nikoi Kotei (Okra) has catapulted himself to the top of the hiplife scene.
Hear this: he is coming out with another stage name in addition to Okra Tom Dawidi- Agyinamoa Kwasi. Where do these names originate from?
Watch out for his remarkable album which will take the industry by storm. Sit back, relax and watch him as he rolls in. He can be reached on 233 20 8152226 or 233 27 7457642 for more information.
