Music of Monday, 27 September 2010

Source: The Spectator

Okyeame Kwame Among Africa's Best

Phenomenonal Hiplife rapper, Okyeame Kwame, is fronting the headlines again. This time around, it is neither about some of his colleague rappers taking him on for declaring himself as the Best Rapper Alive, nor adding more enviable awards to his lifetime career showcase of deservedly-earned honours.

Rather, it is about his artistic works and exceptional showmanship continually getting recognised in many musical circles around the globe. The news is that his song Woso, released two years ago, has made it onto the One Africa - African All Starts Volume 1 album.

The album, a compilation of hit songs by some of the continent's great artistes, is by Sony Music Africa to spur on musicians from Africa who have proven talent and showmanship to easily penetrate into the international musical market.

It is indeed a unique blend of prolific and dynamic young Pan African artistes, aimed at celebrating a united Africa by showcasing the continent as a musical powerhouse.

The album has already been launched in South Africa, featuring songs by such artistes as 2face Idibia, Tay Grin, Sasha and Nneka, to mention only but a few.

Clearly, Okyeame Kwame's inclusion on the compilation gives a valid attestation that the country has musicians whose works are recognised beyond her borders.

He told Spectator Agora on Wednesday that he was gladdened, but humbled by the development "because this means that our works are being noticed out there, and this is good news for the country's music industry".

He hinted that his upcoming album, slated for a launch any time soon, would give his fans and music-lovers a taste of his maturity and "love for the job I'm doing". Some of the songs on the album titled The Clinic are the Faithful and Versatility.

Born in 1976, Okyeame Kwame, also known as the Rap Doctor, is a graduate of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi who studied Akan and Sociology.

Formerly a member of the rap duo Akyeame, Kwame has won many local and international awards since the group split and went separate ways. Topmost among the awards is the Ghana Music Awards (GMA) Artiste of the Year 2008.