Artist Spotlight. Kofi Bruce, the hottest Talking Point in Ghanaian music
It’s ararity to find a young musician pursuing a genre of music considered “old” inthe midst of more popular and commercially viable genres.
For KofiBruce, dabbling in the genre of palm wine music – the old genre- goes beyond amatter of interest. It is an attempt to help revive the popularity of palmwine music and also, express his musicality through relatable and exciting art of storytelling.
For KofiBruce, dabbling in the genre of palm wine music – the old genre- goes beyond amatter of interest. It is an attempt to help revive the popularity of palmwine music and also, express his musicality through relatable and exciting art of storytelling.
Thesignificance of palm wine music to modern African music from the western beltof Africa cannot be downplayed. The continuous popularity of Afrobeatsand highlife music genres across the continent has, at its very foundation, palmwine music.
KofiBruce is a Ghanaian singer, songwriter, producer born and raised in the portcity of Takoradi, in the Western Region. He is also an instrumentalistwith the Afrikyewa (Thumb bell) as his instrument of choice. Growing in ahousehold where Ghanaian highlife music was predominantly played, the culturalethos of the genre was, unconsciously, supplanted in him at an early age. Inhis teenage years, Kofi Bruce fell in love with palm wine music. The melodies,minimal instrumentation and intriguing storytelling of the genre wereirresistible to the aspiring musician. These elements have been prevalentin his music.
KofiBruce has released three songs in recent times. The songs, though differentfrom one another in sound and tempo, are held together by a central story asexpressed on his singles “Aketesia“,“Martha Martha”and “Philomina“.
Thesong “Aketesia”, (young lady in his native language of Fante) explores anoldman’s reflection of his youthful years with women. The song talked about howAunty Mary’s daughter, takes an old man down the memory lane with herflirtatious stroll around the house .
Leaningback in his favourite chair, he stares into space as he recollects his youthfulyears when women found him irresistible (a ladies man). It was rumoured that hewas responsible for Martha’s pregnancy hence the sng title Martha Matter.
On hisrecent release “Philomina”, Kofi Bruce delivers a tale about this veryunassuming church lady who was hell-bent on keeping him to herself. Thetwo shared great memories together during their flinging moments. The onlyproblem was he was a married man. As he brode over the past, the smile on hisface slowly fades as he recalls how difficult it was for him in and out ofthe church.
KofiBruce is determined to help revitalize the genre of palm wine music through therelease of his upcoming EP, “Tappers’ Joint” and a series of lined-up livemusic experiences. The rich musical tradition that stalwarts like Agya Koo Nimohad nurtured, protected, and exported must be upheld by a new generation. KofiBruce is swimming his way to the forefronts of palmwine music.
Check outKofi Bruce’s new video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDwlSpFttTo