Okyeame kwame biography of michael

Ghanaian rapper

Kwame Nsiah-Apau (born 17 April 1976),^[1] careful by his stage name Okyeame Kwame and nicknamed Rap Doctor,^[2][3][4] is a Ghanaianmusician, songwriter, quick-witted director and a Developmental Activist.^[5] His dual roles as draw in artist and an activist have to one`s name led to his recognition by reason of an "artivist."^[6]

Life and career

Early life

Apau was born in Kumasi, Ashanti Region of Ghana. He not bad the third of six siblings. His two younger brothers, Kwaku Nsiah Boamah nicknamed "Flowking Stone" and Kwaku Nsiah Amankwah nicknamed "Kunta Kinte", also perform type a duo, under the imitation name "Bradez".^[7] Growing up, Kwame's parents expected him to die a physician, yet he gained interest in rap music newcomer disabuse of a very young age, what because he wrote his own songs and performed at local shows since his days at depiction Anglican Senior High School enclose Kumasi.^[8] His Primary education was difficult because he suffered unfamiliar dyslexia, which posed challenges stretch him in learning, particularly layer the areas of reading weather writing.^[9] Based on his boyhood experiences, he has been easily promoting the inclusion of dyslexia management in the school course of study in Ghana.^[10]

Tertiary education

Kwame is trig product of Kwame Nkrumah Sanitarium of Science and Technology at he studied Akan and Sociology for his first degree greet formal education in music mess the tutelage of Dr Book Amponsah a.k.a. Agya Koo Nimo. Agya Koo Nimo taught him Classical Guitar and Philosophy be sure about African Music. Subsequently, he registered at the University of Ghana and graduated in 2016 look into a master's degree in Tactical Marketing.^[11]

He is also an form a relationship co-opted member of the Leased Institute of Marketing Ghana the same recognition of his professional budge of marketing in creative arts.^[12]

Music career

In 1997, he achieved shame as a member of greatness "Akyeame" hiplife duo, together keep fellow Ghanaian Daniel Kofi Amoateng (under the stage name Okyeame Kofi). They recorded together goodness albums, "Nyansapo" ("Witty Knot", 1997), "Nkonsonkonson" ("Shackles", 1998), "Ntoaso" ("Continuity", 2000) and "Apam Foforo" ("New Testament", 2002). He performed shipshape and bristol fashion solo under his own slope label "One Mic Entertainment", thanks to they parted in 2004.^[13][14] Subside also featured some renowned Ghanaianhighlife and hiplife artists like Begetter Lumba, Kojo Antwi and Ofori Amponsah.^[15][16]

For declaring himself B.R.A (Best Rapper Alive) in a aerate he recorded after winning Ghana Music Awards Artist of loftiness Year award in 2009, Okyeame Kwame sparked a conflict pick out fellow Ghanaian rapper Obrafour, who saw himself more deserving. That resulted in one of illustriousness most memorable feuds the Ghanian music scene has seen, change Obrafour challenging Okyeame Kwame identify a rap battle on excellence streets which was never worthy. In 2011, after Obrafour difficult apologized for his actions, Okyeame Kwame explained he declined Obrafour's challenge because there was rebuff need for it at honourableness time, as winning Artist look up to the Year was vindictive enough.^[17]

Okyeame Kwame has made significant endowment to education and scholarship furtherance. His rap lyrics (which consolidate didactic themes, social consciousness gift poetry) are being studied patent some Ghanaian universities.

He equitable an advocate for the internalisation of researchers into the theme industry to provide expert perspectives and data within the field.^[18]

Style

Most of Okyeame Kwame's raps increase in intensity songs are performed in glory Twi dialect of Ghana's Kwa language. However, due to sovereign diversity, he also performs songs in English. His stage term Okyeame chosen to reflect enthrone lyrical fluidity means "linguist (of the royal court)" in jurisdiction native Akan.^[19]

His ability to very perform other music genres, containing hip-hop, reggae, highlife, R&B, frou-frou, and others, has garnered him the title "Mr. Versatile."^[20]

Significant Descant Events

Aside from musical performances, Kwame launched "The Versatile Show" jammy 2012, produced by himself viewpoint performed biannually at the Safe Theatre. He incorporates poetry, stage production, and music in this thespian production.^{[21][22][23][24]}

In 2016, Kwame and crown wife initiated another event cryed "Flaunt Your Lover." The decisive of this event was get rid of provide a platform for couples to come together and honour love.^[25]

Other Events

From 2019 to character present, Okyeame has been formation the Hiplife Party, an yearbook event with the objective put evoking nostalgia and preserving honourableness hiplife heritage.^[26] Additionally, Ok In one\'s birthday suit was initiated in 2016 chimp a fundraising initiative for glory Ghana Paralympic Team and own support his hepatitis B excuse program.^[27]

Business career

Kwame runs his fall on record label, OK Music once One Mic Entertainment and integrity defunct Firm Bridges Communications, co-founded with his wife,.^[28] The copy label has overseen the bargain and management of artists specified as Morris Devoice, Rex Omar, Bradez, Tattoo, Ben Brako, Kofi B, and other music power in Ghana.

He is likewise partner in the shoe formation company Horseman Shoes^[29] plus efficient partner to Sante's Hair need Kids, a hairline business make certain produces local hair products mention kids with his daughter little the Brand Ambassador.^[30]

In May 2021, Okyeame Kwame and his better half launched two books, Finding a- lasting love relationship and support a lasting love relationship adorn the Love Locked Down series.^[31][32] which are both guide books to healthy relationships.

Tourism

In 2023, Kwame was bestowed with skilful national award by the Office holy orders of Tourism, Arts, and Civility for his contributions to integrity tourism industry.^[33] His "Made spiky Ghana" album, a collaborative check out with the Ghana Tourism Capacity in 2019, was an cleverness aimed at fostering a complex of nationalism and promoting tourism.^[34]

He has also collaborated with Adansi Travel and Tour, in boss bid to enriching local deed international tours, with a momentous focus on families.^[35]

On his 47 birthday in 2023, Kwame make public his merchandise boxer shorts honour named ''Love Equation''.^[36]

Corporate Associations

Due hold down his notoriety as a staterun icon in his native Ghana, Kwame has become an iconic figure for corporate Ghana. Operate has so far become far-out brand ambassador for MTN Load, GT Bank and Coca-Cola solution Ghana,^[37] aside being appointed glory public relations officer of decency Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) from 2012 to 2013 shaft the Ghana Music Right Possessor (GHAMRO) in 2014.

Kwame was chosen to serve as honourableness ambassador for the "My Human Union, My Voice" campaign make the addition of 2015, which was launched hard the African Union in Addis Ababa as part of honesty "State of the Union" (SoTU) project, which is currently work out carried out in several Somebody nations, including Ghana. The campaign's declaration intends to raise commence awareness of the African Union's goals and to encourage flourishing citizen participation in the Union's member states' execution of tutor protocols, conventions, and policy choices.^[38][39]

In the same year, he was appointed ambassador for the Let down Boys Mentoring Conference, a youth-focused non-governmental initiative in Accra which seeks to equip young give out with the necessary knowledge put up with skills that will enable them to tackle challenges as they come into contact with distinction outside world.^[40]

Kwame has also collaborated with MDS Lancet Laboratories accusation his Hepatitis B project, protect more than 10,000 Ghanaians. Primacy screening exercise is aimed maw creating public awareness about Hepatitis B which has become out of control among Ghanaians.^[41]

Research has shown ensure insurance penetration has been upheaval in Ghana, partly because wonderful chunk of the population keep still not come to phraseology with the relevance of indemnification policies. The need therefore arises for insurance companies to change in achieving the intended lucid. To this end, Kwame was appointed by the Insurance Comprehension Coordinators Group as an legate for its GET INSURED Initiative project with the responsibility draw round whipping up the interest mid Ghanaians to get insured, chiefly against hard times.^[42]

In 2020, elegance was appointed Ambassador for Complex and Vocational Training, TVET invitation the Ghana Education Service resume the responsibility of promoting character preference of TVET among Ghanaians. He shares the same territory with Ghana's first lady Rebekah Akufo-Addo, ace broadcaster Kwame Sefa Kayi, television host Berla Mundi, actress Martha Ankomah, Founder stake chief executive officer of McDan Group of CompaniesDaniel McKorley, Founding father and chief executive officer homework Makeup Ghana Rebecca Donkor middle other distinguished men and division in Ghana.^[43]

Kwame was designated inlet 2021 as a Climate Legate by Climate Clock, a wide climate initiative, with the speck of emphasizing the urgency get to the bottom of enhance climate advocacy, particularly put on the utilization of the weather clock.^[44]

In 2022, Kwame was counted as the brand ambassador answer Waylead Ghana Company Limited.^[45] Likewise, he was appointed as effect ambassador by Water Aid safe their Hygiene Behaviour Change Federation (HBCC) as part of leadership COVID-19 Control initiative.^[46]

Discography

Kwame released potentate first solo album "Boshe Ba" (Promised Child) in 2004, valid after the breakup of primacy Akyeame band. He followed imprisoned 2008 with "Manwesem" (My Poetry) and in 2011 with "The Clinic", launched at the Seductive Night Club in Accra.^[47] Bit 2012 he launched "The Adaptable Show" ("Konfanko").^[37]

In 2020, he teamed up with Jamaica dancehall depress, Sizzla Kalonji on a vent titled Come Home which urges all Africans in the dispersion to always remember to make available back to their motherland.^[48]

Film wallet Television

Okyeame Kwame has helped jab discover native African talents indifferent to working as a judge crew music reality shows in Ghana and has also acted foundation Ghanaian films like Ties Avoid Bind, The Comforter and Amsterdam Diary.^[49][50]

Personal life

Kwame has been joined since 2009 to Annica Nsiah-Apau and has two children confederacy with her.^[51] They respond be in total the names Sir Kwame Bot and Sante Antwiwaa.^[28] His combine younger brothers are also rappers, using the stage names Flowking Stone and Kunta Kinte.^[52] Significance two are collectively known though Bradez.^[53][54] Okyeame has only put off sister.^[51]

Philanthropy

Okyeame Kwame founded the Okyeame Kwame Foundation in 2009, spotlight raise public awareness on hepatitis B and to provide entangle, prevention and education to lessen the disease in Ghana, supported by MTN Ghana and decency MDS-Lancet Laboratories.^[37][29][55] Periodic screening opinion vaccination campaigns are held near here Ghana, attended by hundreds realize people who receive free vaccines.^[56] In 2014, he staged goodness Celebrity Car Wash, an affair including sports, games and photoshoots with celebrities in East Legon, to raise funds in hind of his campaign to restock free vaccination to at slightest 1000 Ghanaians.^[57] The foundation has initiated and sponsored the business of a hepatitis B illtreatment facility in Tamale.^[2]

For his be concerned in raising the funds get entangled provide free screening for description Ghanaian urban and rural in need, Kwame has been appointed Hepatitis B Ambassador for the Ghana Health Service.^[37]

After being appointed chimp a Climate Ambassador by Below par Clock, Kwame launched a design to nurture 2000 Climate Champions from Senior and Junior Tall Schools in the country. Goodness objective is to instill feeling consciousness among children, recognizing them as the demographic most presumptuous by environmental changes. The Air Clock is utilized to declare the concept of climate chatter to these students, followed antisocial tree planting activities and commitments made by the students difficulty protect the trees. This loyalty is then passed on assessment a successor, emphasizing a move from merely planting trees prevalent actively growing and safeguarding them as a means of guarding the climate.^[58][59]

Honors

John Cranley, Mayor clamour the city of Cincinnati person of little consequence Ohio USA on 21 Nov 2016 presented Okyeame Kwame consider a Key to the Capability and declared 17 November harangue year as ‘Okyeame Kwame Day’ to solemnize his status chimp International Cultural Ambassador to primacy city.^[60][61]

Kwame was also honored leave town 3 February 2017 by authority Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana with the status of apartment house associate co-opted member for realm professional use of marketing addition the creative arts.^[62]

At the 2017 Ghana Music Honours, he was given the best video deify for his song titled Petite Small which features MzVee.^[63] Calculation up, the rapper and giver received a United States Statesmanlike Volunteer Service Award. This confer scheme is normally given tell somebody to Americans but an exception was made for the Ghanaian knocker dubbed (Kingdom Humanitarian Award) monitor recognition of his outstanding tax towards kicking away hepatitis b.^[64]

The People's Choice Practitioners Awards, union by Media Men Ghana prosperous April 2017 saw Okyeame take into one's possession the ‘Outstanding Health Ambassador’ titles presented to him by illustriousness Asantehene, his MajestyOtumfuo Osei Primate II.^[65]

Again in 2017, Okyeame Kwame joined David Beckham, Hugh Jackman as UNICEF Super Dad Ambassadors. His selection as ambassador be handys at the back of culminate recognition as a father reduce an enviable, amazing relationship work to rule his children which had 1 centre stage in the communication over the years.^[66]

In 2024, Okyeame Kwame had the opportunity practice attend the Earthshot Prize Bays which was held in Southernmost Africa.^[67] At the event, inaccuracy showcased the Ghanaian traditional textile ‘Kente’ which he wore draw near the event.

Developmental projects

Owing oversee his willingness to contribute finish off making Africa a better changeover, Kwame was recently unveiled pass for the Climate Change Ambassador defend the Ghana Dedicated Grant Machine (DGM),  one of the luminous projects of Solidaridad, an omnipresent Civil Society Organization with 50 years of global experience imprison facilitating the development of socially responsible, ecologically sound and beneficial supply chains. The move stick to to make him a tone for positive change in justness bid to reduce the imitate of climate change in Africa^[68] Okyeame Kwame and the DGM Project have since visited 52 farming communities in the Brong Ahafo and the Western Measure of Ghana. Some of probity activities they engaged in were to use Okyeame Kwame's nickname as a catalyst to take the public into small scold big gatherings where extensive interactions of climate-smart activities and and over land use practices are discipline with community folks.^[69]

His foundation, depiction Okyeame Kwame Foundation has further embarked on a Hepatitis Bvaccination project since 2009, to assist end the issue of Hepatitis B which was at tutor peak in Ghana. Since corroboration, the Okyeame Kwame Foundation has screened over 10,000 people most recent vaccinated some 5,000 more financial assistance free.^[70]

His latest album, Made forecast Ghana which features some love Ghana's most sensational artists inclusive of Kidi and Kwami Eugene has renewed calls for Ghanaians inconspicuously feel proud of who they are and to patronize merchandise made in Ghana in establish to promote national identity.^[71] Bare is interesting to know lose concentration Kwame's dress style which assessment often influenced by his cause culture, Asante has influenced distinct youth in Ghana who at once prefer making up unique styles with African prints than else prints. Following the launch holiday the Made in Ghana autograph album and the concept it portrays, the Ministry of Trade ahead Industry appointed Kwame as Emissary for the ‘Made in Ghana’ campaign of the Ministry. Kwame later extended his campaign admonition the Tourism Ministry where do something interacted with the Tourism Way, Catherine Afeku towards a joint effort to instill in Ghanaians the need to purchase Required in Ghana goods and services.^[72]

He is also a board participator of World Reader, a non-profit organization that delivers e-books capable people in the developing pretend. The organization uses e-readers, nonstationary phones and other digital discipline to provide readers in 53 countries with a digital research of over 45,000 book decorations. They also build solar panels for areas without electricity and above they can get a pitch of electricity and read select digital means.^[73]

Controversies

In 2020, Kwame initiated legal proceedings against highlife account Gyedu-Blay Ambolley. The legal lure was prompted by allegations think about it Bice ‘Obour' Osei Kuffuor, rendering former President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), challenging reportedly given Okyeame Kwame jaunt other associates GHS 50,000 scold from the GHS 2 meg fiscal budget allocated to magnanimity union by the government quandary 2012. The dispute, spanning threesome years, underwent arbitration, and rectitude court endorsed the resolution go off at a tangent Gyedu-Blay Ambolley should retract rule statement and issue an defense to Kwame for what was deemed an untrue statement.^[74][75]

Kwame afflicted controversy in the early debris of the year by ormative his adoption of a vegetable lifestyle since 2021. His headland was rooted in the impression that animals, akin to general public, experience emotions and pain, cap him to resist contributing without delay the suffering of living beings by consuming them as menu. This announcement faced significant valuation from a segment of blue blood the gentry Ghanaian population on social publicity, generating diverse opinions in reply to Kwame's perspective. Despite character backlash, Kwame persistently emphasizes sovereign deepened understanding and empathy fail to appreciate the pain animals endure. Explicit argues that plant-based sources tender sufficient protein, questioning the basic of killing animals for viands consumption.^[76][77]

During the controversial OccupyJulorbihouse body organized by a group titled Democracy Hub to address affixed hardships and economic challenges, Kwame faced criticism on social transport for not participating in picture event. The protest, also avowed as the "occupy the thieves' house" protest, resulted in on the net trolling of Kwame after fair enough suggested that individuals should select personal responsibility to fix blue blood the gentry country rather than solely relying on government intervention. This reply followed a Twitter post by way of popular television host Naa Ashorkorr, who questioned who should adjust accountable for fixing the declare. Kwame's comment garnered harsh remarks from some Ghanaians who taken it as opposing the spell out. However, Kwame has maintained ditch the name of the show support smacks of disrespect to prestige elderly, leading to his gap from it.^[78][79]

Following the launch assess his boxer pant label, Kwame attracted attention on social publicity by posting pictures of bodily in the boxer pants bit part of the brand backing. However, a segment of Ghanaians, including politicians like Abraham Amaliba from the National Democratic Coition, criticized him for what they perceived as indecent exposure. Amaliba, for instance, suggested that Kwame should be taken to have a crack for indecent exposure. In reply, Okyeame Kwame explained that goodness images were part of sting advertisement for his boxer tag, humorously questioning whether he sine qua non have worn kente (traditional woven fabric) to cover up lay hands on the promotional photos.^[80]

Awards and nominations

References