Kofi Kinaata has reacted to claims that his journey to stardom has been relatively easy because of his affiliation with music legends like Castro and Samini.

Laughing, he said, “It is said: ‘Who you know will take you there but what you know will keep you there’.”

He spoke to Nana Romeo on Ayekoo Ayekoo, Accra 100.5 FM’s midmorning program.

“Let’s take for instance a nephew of yours who wants to be a radio presenter. You will grant him an opportunity to see the management because of your relationship but after that, he has to show he is hardworking so he is employed,” he cited.

Appearing to admit working and being associated with Reggae/Dancehall artiste Samini and the late Hiplife artiste Castro did give him some leverage in the music industry, the legendary three-time national best songwriter intimated there were others who also enjoyed the same privilege but unfortunately have not attained his level of success, for one reason or the other.

“Castro did not do music with only me. I’m also not the only person Samini [worked with],” Kinaata said. “I say this to mean, you will be received and given these opportunities but ultimately, your establishment depends on you, your talent, and grit.”

The career-enhancing Odo Pa (2014) was the biggest collaboration Kinaata had with Castro Destroyer, and after five years under the management of Samini Dagaati’s High-Grade Family, he became an independent act in 2018.

Having achieved multiple hit singles since 2015’s Susuka, the rapper-turned-singer-songwriter released his first tape, a seven-track extended play (EP) called Kofi oo Kofi, on Friday, May 10, 2024. An ode to his mother, Auntie Ama, opens it.