:: OUR GHANA HIP HOP ::
Crews A-L
Crews M-Z
Stop Aids
Reggie Rockstone
Me Ka
Dj Kofi
Dj Rab
Ex-Doe
Soulatidoe
Channel O
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CREWS (A-L)
Abeeku
Adeshie
Ahenfo
The Ancestors
Akasakyerema
Akyeame
Buk-Bak
C-A-B
Cy-Lover
Da Multy Krew
Deeba
Gee-Life
Jay-Dee
Kaseem
Keteke
Lifeline family
Lord Kenya
Lord Lust
Hip Hop in Ghana: all crews (A-L)
In this section of the Rumba-Kali Pan African hip hop website you find the most comprehensive gathering in the world of Ghanaian hip hop related info.
In a relatively short time span, the West African country of Ghana has developed a very lively hip hop scene. Some of the old school artists are still active, and more recently there has been an influx of young skilled people with a new fanbase of kids who have just discovered and embraced rap music. The more experienced artists like Rockstone have been important in paving the way for this new generation.
Ghana is a former colony of the English, so unlike in most West African countries many people understand the English language. Ghanaian rap is not only in English though but in a variety of local languages including Twi, Ga and Hausa.
Much of the following info could be gathered thanks to, or was written by Rab 'the International' from Kassa records (see picture to the left), the most active hip hop promoters in Ghana. Rab is also Reggie Rockstone's dj and has toured many places, including UK, US and Benin - the latter to attend the first Pan African Hip Hop festival in July 99 (read his update about the event at our crews page). He has also written updates on hip hop in Ghana that appeared in the 360 degrees section of 88hiphopmag. There's also Ghana native Kwaku who has a site on hip hop in general with sometimes updates from West Africa, check out his Chill'n column.
Ghana Music Awards
This year's music awards in Ghana featured nominated rappers in no less than 7 categories. Peep the Results
Abeeku
Members: solo
Album: not available
Label: Label: Warrior Music
Base: Atlanta, USA
This is the other half of Talking Drums. Formerly known as WitchDoctor. He had attended Morehouse University in Georgia, USA. His partner; Okyeame even flew from Accra to bless a couple of tracks on his upcoming album which was recorded in Atlanta.
Hot Single: 'I'm Sayin' Tho' featuring Polo from the rap group Jim Crow from Atlanta.
Adeshie
Members: Butty Rankin, K2 and Stik the Ghana Rap Commando
Album: Medofo (My Lover), October 1999
Label: ?, base: Accra, Ghana
The music of Adeshie (the name is Twi for Royal Family) contains pieces of advice particularly for the youth. Mostly a Hi-Life album. One album to their credit: Medofo ('My Lover'), October 1999. Hot single: Maame Ama (a girls name). A new album is due with a different flavor and different label in late 2000.
Ahenfo
Solo artist
Album: Agoro MB ('Party ! Millennium Bash')
Known as the "Lyrical Gangster". Solo artist who talks about guns and ganster lingo, although that lifestyle is non-existent in Ghana. His flow is very similar to Mr. Cheeks of The Lost Boys (USA) with Twi lyrics.
Hot single - 'Millennium Bash' Label: ? Base: Kumasi, Ghana
The Ancestors
Members: Froggy, Rakim.Yankee & Ranking
Single: "Yao! Yao!"
Base: Kumasi, Ghana
Akasakyerema
Members: Osahene; Ishsi; Blaconi
Album: Not Available
Label: Coalhouse Records
Base: Tema, Ghana
The title of the group; (ah-ka-sa-cher-eh-ma) is the Twi name for Talking Drum. Hot Single: 'Abena' (TwE Ben me) (Twi for come closer to me) This is a phat track with tight production by Coalhouse. He has done some work for Rockstone and he was the key arranger & mixer on the 'Stop Aids, Love Life' project. This is a close bet for an actual Hip Hop song! It has a loop that any rap artist can tear up. Another hot single is 'Let's Go' featuring Cil Peswa. Osahene & Ishi hold it down in Twi while Cil supplies the bullets with the Pidgin English.
Akyeame
Members: Okyeame Quofi & Oyeame Quame
Albums: Nyansapo (Sensibility) (1998), Nkonson Konson (1999), NtwoasoO (Continuation) (2000)
Label: Spider's Web Records
Base: Kumasi, Ghana
Rap duo consisting of Asante Twi lyricists. Akyeame (ah-chi-ah-meh) is plural for 'the linguist'. These linguists were the medium between visitors to the Royal court of the Chief of the Asante nation. They are known for incorporating of 'Osibsi (Root) music and Odwira (traditional Akan music). They have two albums to their credit. Nyansapo (meaning 'sensibility') -January 1998 and the more current; Nkonson Konson (meaning 'weaving' as in weaving lyrics) of September 1999. These two are known for their large vocabulary in Twi. Hot single off Nyansapo: 'Brebre' (Step by Step) featuring Root-I. Produced by Zapp Mallet Hot single off Nkonson Konson: 'Mesan Aba (I Have Come Back Here) Probably the most commercial song ever produced in Ghana in the last 10 years!
After the commercial success of 'Mesan Aba' which incorporated the Yaa Amponsah Hi-life guitar lick; ragga toasting from an artist named Yoogi; slick r-n-b crooning from Nana Quame; a tight dancefloor beat; African percussion; articulate lyrics and numerous shows in North America and Europe, now they have a new album that is due out in November 2000. Some radio djays in Accra has been blessed with the first single from this album called 'Endaada Me' (Don't Trick Me)- They got a hot video to this one. This song was produced by Zapp Mallet.
Buk-Bak
Album: Komi Ke Kena (1998), AwEnsem (Akwasi Broni) (2000)
Members: Prince Bright, Ronney C, Shoetan
Label: Abib Records
Base: Accra, Ghana
Three-man rap group ('Buk bak' is slang for 'school books' ) who have released their first single and video off their upcoming compact disc. The lyrics are delivered in Pidgin English and Ga. The chorus is sang in a ragga-like style with a very upbeat Hip-Hop beat.
Prince Bright is known for his wailing rap style similar to popular music from Senegal or Mali. Ronney C and Shoetan are the other members. Shoetan has traveled to Canada . He has been replaced by Jeru of the Monarchs. One album to their name: Kommi Ke Kena (Ga for Kenkey and small fried fish).
Kenkey is a common street food of Ghana made from fermented, mashed white corn dough. Then the sticky substance is wrapped in cornhusk, then boiled. This is served with some pepper condiment. Hot single off Kommi Ke Kena: 'Kommi Ke Kena' The chorus is sang in a ragga-like style with a very up-beat Hip hop track.
Second album: Released April 2000. Hot single off album 'Chingi-lingi Song' - They rap about how they like tall and slender chicks. But even better is the title track called Akwasi Broni. This song is about how the whiteman disses Africans and Africa but when they come to the continent, they try to be like the African. The video is ill! They even got a grubby white dude wearing African garments in a Ghanaian village! Buk Bak has featured with New Hi-Life artist; Ekow Shai-Low & female songtress Latifah Lamud.
C - A - B
Solo artist
Base: Chicago, USA
CAB stands for 'Crazy Attractive Baby' but this female mc's real name is Deshanna. She's featured on tracks such as 'Mr. Adwenbone (Mr. Bad Mind)', 'Things Get Easier', 'YEn Ni Abere' (We're Serious) and 'Death for Life' on the Reggie Rockstone albums. Since she has a lot of capacity for rhyming, her own album is to be expected soon. She is currently in the USA waiting for her turn to shine in Ghana.
Chicago
Label: Yakabams, based: Accra, Ghana
Album: Wo be ko (January 2000)
The best rap artist in Ewe. Period! He is also good in Twi. He is getting props for the Y2K for coming out with on the offense with a scathing attack directed at EX-DOE in a hot single called 'Wo Be Ko (wuh beh kor) This is Twi for 'You will Go'. He is basically hitting EX-DOE left and right. He is saying that EX-DOE's rap carrer is a fraud and he is washed up. So he should get out the game before he plays himself.
Hot single: Same as title of album
Cy - Lover
Label: Bottom Line Records, based: Accra, Ghana
From as early as 1992, Cy tha Boy Wonder, also known as Cy Lover, has been rocking the underground scene and African heads with his smooth but hardcore and militant hiplife. Featuring with various artistes such as Reggie Rockstone on "Nightlife in Accra" and "Anigye Be Fie" both from his "Makaa, Maka!!" debut album; and with Obrafo on "Agro No Aso", "Pae Mu Ka" and "Mamendwen Meho".
Other unforgettable appearances have been on "Accra Allstars" produced by Rab "The International" Bakari with Reggie Rockstone, Witchdoctor, Freddie Funkstone.
Hot single: "Chaley Listen", a call to arms and chronicle of his African peoples' struggles soon to be followed up by his upcoming 4 EP release, "Akwaaba!" and its twin "Verbal Confrontation".
Da Multy Krew
Members: Yaw-T, Ken-G
Living in Holland for over ten years but still Ghana is like home to them. Da Multy Krew represent for their brothers back home as well as for the people in Amsterdam. Back in the eighties they danced electric boogie moves while enjoying Ghanaian music such as highlife. Ken G was singer in a church choir. Not long after they moved with their parents to the Bijlmer area of Amsterdam, Holland which was and still is the cradle of Dutch hip hop. Original group members Yaw-T and Frank P when they first met went to local Hip Hop clubs together and started to perform at Ghanaian parties. By then they were called the Mega Posse.
Original member of Megaposse Gazah, or Kwabena Adjei is now in Ghana and working as an art painter.He's worked with Gemann, the Ghanaian pop star in his studio in Germany and at Sloopy Mike Gyamfi's recording studio. In Ghana, he worked with Ernest Acheampong and Charles Kwadwo Ofosu a.k.a. Daddy Lumba as a dancer. In Europe, he undertook a tour of Germany, Belgium, Paris, London to compete with other students in arts.
Da Multy Krew released a cd out which used to be available at their home at the price of Dfl. 25 (approximately 15 U$):
Da Multy Krew
Boeninlaan 203
1102 TJ Amsterdam
Holland
Deeba
Albums: Deeba
Label: 1st Class Entertainment
Base: Accra, Ghana
Hot track produced by the same cat (Hammer) that did the production on Obrafo's debut album. It has a catchy chorus in Twi. The girl moans about how some guy is worrying her. The best part of this track is that it features a new kid called Bazaar who flips a guest verse on this track in English.
Gee-Life
Members: Abiola Wapet MC, Sonni Balli
Album: G-Life 2K, Abrabo In Ghana
Label: Ashanti International Records, based: Accra, Ghana
Used to be four man crew, put together by Nana King of Ashanti International Records. Wapet MC and Sonni Balli are known for their lyrics in Hausa as solo artists. Wapet MC had a very popular single during late 1998, early 1999 called 'As Salaamu-alekum' (Arabic for 'Peace be upon you'). Lil' Steve & Nash Dog left the group on bad terms. They claimed that they were cheated out of the proceeds from the first G-Life album. It became a nasty incident when Nana King and his family were assaulted by these two. Property was damaged and the Ghana police got involved. Wapet MC & Sonni Balli rightfully laid claim to the G-Life group name. They flipped it to Gee-Life and began to record a new album with the parent label of Ashanti International, which is Precise Music.
Two albums to their credit:-G-Life 2K (Jan 1999), hot singles: 'Kotoho' (Twi for 'Get down') and 'Ko ma menko' (Twi for 'leave and let me leave')
-Abrabo in Ghana (Twi for Life in Ghana) (May 2000), hot singles: 'Wati W'ani Ayira' - Twi & Hausa verses about having things but not paying attention to what you have and then losing it. Can apply to girlfriends, money or anything you thought was valuable. This is very catchy with it's gyama beat.
Jay-Dee
Album: G-Life 2K
Base: Accra, Ghana
Label: Ashanti International Records
Upstart Rap artist who was always known for idolizing and imitating the late Tupac. Actually he has matured. He has finally released some top-notch material which is a mixture of Twi & English. The production is tight in respect to the heavy basslines and kick drums.
Album: One just released in January 2000
Kaseem
Album: not available
Label: Gabster Records
Base: Accra, Ghana
One of the best rap artists in the language of Ga. Ga is rarely used in rap since the language of the Akan, which is Twi is far more dominant in entertainment. He was produced by the famous radio presenter of Joy FM 99.7 in Accra; Gabby Adjetey.
Hit single: 'Ka fEE Tsaka Tsaka' (Ga for 'Don't mess around')
Keteke
Album: Chioo-Chioo
Label: Kay's Frequency
Base: Accra, Ghana
Keteke - (the name means 'Locomotive train') started out as 'Royal Neighbours' in 1996. The group was made up of four members; three boys and a girl (African-American). She traveled back to the USA. The three males were lead by FLAMES in 1997. In 1999 they changed their group name to Keteke.
Flames changed his name to Train Driver. The other two became Engineer and Station Master. They preach against social vices in Twi, Ga , Ewe and English. One album to their credit: Chioo-Chioo Hot singles off the album: Album title track and 'Alele' (Ga word for 'prostitute'.)
Label: Kay's Frequency
Base: Accra, Ghana
Lifeline Family
Members: Shyne, Ruwl, Ice-I, T-Blaze, Ray, Leslie, Sheperd
Album: It was all a game (September 1999)
Label: Lifeline Records
Base: Accra, Ghana
True Wu-tang Clan of Ghana. Seven man team who handle specific languages.
They have different combinations of emcees on their tracks. consists of Shyne, Ruwl, Ice-I, T-blaze, Ray, Leslie and Sheperd. All were solo emcees. Twi, English and Ga lyrics. One album to their credit: 'It was all a game' - September 1999.
Hot single off the album: 'Wo sisi' (Twi for 'your waist') features T-Blaze in Twi & Ruwl in Ga. The song disses the older generation because they can't boogie to the new rap sounds. Also has been remixed by Rab 'the International' to be released as a single in Ghana. Features additional verse by Reggie Rockstone.
'Summer holiday' - same melody as the 1980's Madonna tune. All lyrics in English. 'Straight up thugging' - solo effort by Shyne. Mostly English lyrics.
Lifeline has split into solo artist again. Shyne has dropped his name and re-incarnated himself as Mensah. He is currently under DKB with a promise to drop by Dec 2000. T-blaze is still loyal to the family. In true Wu fashion he has released a solo joint. See T-blaze
Lord Kenya
Albums: Sika (Nov 1998); Sikaa Baa (Money Girl) (1999)
Label: Slip Music
Base: Kumasi, Ghana
Solo rap artist who can sling lyrics in Asante, Twi and English. He has a very distinct flow. He has been charting the Ghanaian music charts across the country with his new album. Two albums to his credit. SIKA (Twi for money) 1998 & 'SIKABAA' December 1999' Hot singles off SIKA: 'Car N'aba (The car is here). This track samples Mr. Big Stuff from Jean Knight (1970). 'Chap With The Rap' featuring KWA-CEE and KAMAKAZI. 'SIKA' samples ''Ain't No Stopping Us Now" from McFadden and Whitehead' (1978). All produced by Zapp Mallet.
Second album: 'Sikabaa' (Money Girl) originally a single off the Slip Dance music compilation. Hot singles: The title cut and 'Fa Me Ko' (Take Me Away). This was the chart-topper for a long time in Ghana. Also one must note the radio play of YE Wa Dwene Yie (Make Up your mind) and Obia DeKa ( Everybody Owes ). All of these tracks were produced by Zapp Mallet.
Lord Lust
Album: Not available
Label: Wise African Records
Base: Accra, Ghana
Contact: lordlust2001@hotmail.com
Ghanaian-born emcee that is fluent in French due to his residency in France for 16 years. Returned to Ghana in 1999 to slip himself into the music business. He has self-produced material. He tried his luck in the stifled Hip Hop community of London. He came out as Quakes. He was signed to Son Records in 1997, which was a sub-label of Ninja Tunes. The first single was the self-produced 'Renaissance Man' in Feb. 1998. 'Capital Visions' was produced by Mad DR. X and released in June 1998 with a video that aired on MTV Europe. He featured in UK All-star Project X single-'D-jays & Emcees' with Black Twang & The Brotherhood was also released that year. The third release from Son Records called 'Neptune' which was produced by Talking Drums hitman; Pidgen. It came out in Jan. 1999 with video on MTV-Europe, BET Canada and later in Japan. 'Neptune' reviewed as 'single of the month' with 5 stars in both Muzik and DJ magazines (London-Feb/Mar 99). 'Neptune' was used on the soundtrack of 'Rage'; an independent film. (UK's parallel to 'Juice' or 'La Haïne'.
Tour of Germany with FK Squad (top German) Hip Hop family including Freundeskreis, Mellow Bag, Afrob) - May 1999Re-surfaced in Ghana in late 1999 as Lord Lust. Recorded with Sekou The Ambassador of Freundeskreis for Sekou's solo effort. Recorded for the banging, boom-bap track called 'The Mapouka Dance' with Ghanaian veteran, Reggie Rockstone and new-comer Mensah.
The record pays homage to the West African dance called the Mapouka. Although this dance originated in La Côte D'Ivoire; it has invaded it's neighboring borders. Lord Lust has also taken the position as executive producer for Cy-Lover's 'Verbal Confrontation' album. Performed with Rockstone & other West African artists in Lille France.
Hot singles: 'My Style' and 'Plans' Both are far-advanced for Ghana. Straight -up Hip Hop for the masses abroad! No Hip-Life here.
Continue: crews page 2 (M-Z)
VIP earned the Rumba-Kali African Hip Hop album cover award of November 1999 for their album Biibiiba. The artwork is nothing special but there's a story behind it. The white dog you see in the picture was called 'Chicargo' and was the official 6th member of VIP. He was trained and went on stage with them as they performed. Unfortunately he recently passed away. So this is to Chicargo: Rest In Peace! Maybe his unreleased recordings with VIP will now go platinum....