Kofi Kinaata

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Kofi Kinaata
Kofi Kinaata
Kofi Kinaata
Background information
Birth nameMartin King Arthur
Also known asFante Rap God
Born15 April 1990
Effiakuma – Takoradi, Ghana
GenresHighlife, Hiplife
Occupation(s)Singer, rapper
InstrumentsVocals
Years active(2013–present)
Labels
  • Team Move Music
  • High Grade Family (former)
Associated actsSamini, Kwesi Arthur, Kwaw Kese, Shatta Wale, Stonebwoy, Fameye Pappy Kojo, Sarkodie, Ayesem, Nero X, Becca, Bless

Martin King Arthur popularly known as Kofi Kinaata is a Ghanaian musician and songwriter from Takoradi.[1][2] He is noted for his Fante rap and freestyle and therefore known as the Fante Rap God (FRG).[3] Apart from his rap prowess, he has grown into a very good singer taking the highlife genre by storm.

Early life and education[]

Kofi Kinaata was born on the 15th of April 1990 and raised in Effiakuma, a residential town in the Western Region of Ghana. He attended Nana Brempong Yaw School and completed his secondary education at the Takoradi Technical Institute.[4][5]

Music career[]

Just after High school, Kofi Kinaata participated in the Melody FM (Kasahari) rap competition and emerged as the second runner-up in 2009.[6] He released his first single "Obi Ne Ba" in 2011.

He is noted for his lyrical dexterity in terms of unique rhyme schemes and humorous Fante rap style with a touch of traditional African proverbs in his local language to entertain and educate.[7][8] In February 2020, he won the Hybrid song of the year at the Ghana National Gospel Music Awards 2019.[9]

Made in Taadi[]

In December 2015, he released a song "Made in Taadi" which was a jam for most Fante people due to the link to their famous "Ankos" (Fancy dress and Masqueraders Xmas Carnival) annual festival which happens during Christmas.[10]

Sweetie-pie[]

Sweetpie is a love song of its kind. The song starts with a great sensation expressing a great kind of love. Although the lyric was done in Fante, fans love the beats to the song. This is a perfect song for a date. It creates the right mood for a romantic setting. Kin Dee is the producer responsible for this great work.[11]

Confession[]

In 2016, he released "Confession" with most people relating the song to "Jesus Take The Wheel".[12][13]

An abridged English version of the lyrics to the song, has been adopted by the English department of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology[14][15][16] for a Level 200 semester course (English Literature 263).

The song became Avram Grant's favorite Ghanaian track as at the time it was released. He told Bola Ray in his last interview before he retired as a Ghana Black Stars Coach.[17]

Kinaata's "Confession" was used in 2017 as the theme song by the Minority party (NDC) as a tease to the majority in parliament (NPP) to describe the state of the nation.[18][19]

The Ghana Black Stars also did a "Confession" group dance as a form of celebration anytime a goal was scored, during the AFCON 2017 Tournament.[20][21]

The song received considerable playtime and moved to the Top 10 in Ghana in 2016. He won the Song Writer of the Year and Best New Artiste of the Year awards at the 2016 edition of the Ghana Music awards.[22]

Things Fall Apart[]

Things Fall Apart, a 2019 release has topped charts across music platforms, including iTunes Ghana Top 100, Audiomack Ghana Top 20 and Boomplay AfroBeats charts for weeks. The song which was produced by TwoBars was warmly received by music enthusiasts as one of the most well written songs so far.[23][24][25] The song has been widely played, circulated and shared on both traditional and social media, it has been number 1 on Twitter trends. The song has also been number one on YouTube's Ghana trends with fellow celebrities giving it rave rating: Asamoah Gyan,[26] Michael Essien, Kwami Sefa Kai, Phillip Osei Bonsu, Sadick Adams, KiDi, Efya, Berla Mundi, Joe Beecham among others.[27][28][29][30]

Collaborations[]

Kofi Kinaata has done major collaborations with artistes such as; Sarkodie, Shatta Wale, Samini, Stonebwoy, Kwesi Arthur, Jayso, Castro, Becca among others.[31][32] One major collaboration that blew him to the mainstream and limelight was "Odo Pa" by Castro which featured Kinaata and Ghana Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan. The track was a hit all over the continent and won awards locally and internationally.[33][34] Castro was a god-father and an inspiration to him since he grew up seeing him, and help him with his entry in the industry.[35][36][37][38]

Management[]

Samini and Tony Pun signed Kofi Kinaata unto the Samini Music/ High Grade Family record label in 2013.[39][40][41][42][43][44][45] Kofi Kinaata left the label in 2018 after his 5-year contract with the management ended.[46][47] He's currently an independent artiste with 'Team Move Music' which he heads as his management.[48]

Made in Taadi Concert[]

The annual ‘Made in Taadi Concert’ is one of the biggest musical concert in the Western and Central Regions of Ghana. The concert attracts fans of Kofi Kinaata and people from all classes in society. Fans travel far and near for this concert.[49]

The show has been witnessed by fellow artists such as; Stonebwoy, Sarkodie, Shatta Wale, Pappy Kojo, Joey B, Kwaw Kese, Medikal, Kidi, Edem, etc.[50]

In 2019, it was listed as one of the top 100 events in Ghana by Ghana Event Awards.[51]

Endorsements[]

Kofi Kinaata was made a brand ambassador of Good Day Energy Drink on Thursday, June 24, at Lesfam in Madina, Accra.[52]In May 2021, he was unveiled together with Diana Hamilton as the Brand Ambassadors of Enterprise Life.[53][54] He is also a Goodwill ambassador for UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM).[55]

Videography[]

Year Title Director Ref
2013 Odo Pa (as a featured artiste with Castro and Asamoah Gyan) Nana Kofi Asihene [56]
2014 Oh Azaay Prince Dovlo [57]
2015 Susuka Xbills Ebenezer [58]
The Crusade (with Donzy) Yaw Skyface [59]
2016 This Year ft Samini Prince Dovlo [60]
2017 Confession Yaw Skyface [61]
Last Show [62]
2018 Single and Free Snares [63]
No Place Like Home IOM Project [64]
2019 Illegal Fishing Abass [65]
Never Again ft Shatta Wale [66]
Adam & Eve Babs Direction [67]
Things Fall Apart [67]
2020 Never Again [68]

Awards and nominations[]

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Kofi Kinaata

Discography[]

Singles[]

Year Title Production Ref
2014 Onnyi Chorus Oilcity Vybez [69]
Oh Azaay Dr Ray [70]
2015 Made in Taadi WillisBeatz [71]
Susuka Kin Dee [72]
The Crusade (with Donzy) Seshi [73]
2016 My Level Kin Dee [74]
Time No Dey [75]
Sweetie Pie [76]
2017 Confession [77]
Last Show WillisBeatz [78]
Single and Free [79]
Play Dr Ray [80]
2018 Action Time JMJ
No Place Like Home Beatz Nation
Malafaka Kin Dee
The Whole Show
2019 Illegal Fishing BlaqKeyz
Never Again Kin Dee
Adam and Eve Shottoh Blinqx
Things Fall Apart Two Bars
2020 Behind The Scenes [81]

References[]

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External links[]

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