I am amazed as to how quick Ghanaians forget things—perhaps, the rebranding of Nana Yaw Kumi by Mark Okraku Mantey has worked so well that people do not even remember the fact that, Kumi Guitar has ‘always’ been in the industry…
The whole talk and extensive buzz about Kumi Guitar (real name Nana Yaw Kumi) nearly got me confused into thinking that, out of no where a musical ‘revolutionist’ has emerged. To be frank, Nana Yaw Kumi has always loved music but has struggled to get the attention he deserves.
Before I take you back to the early days of Kumi Guitar, let me reveal the ‘obvious secret’—Kumi Guitar was featured in a song by Reggie Zippy some years ago. At the time, he called himself ‘Nightmare’.
Watch Kumi Guitar (Nightmare) in Reggie Zippy’s song-Virgin
Any individual who was at Adisadel College between 2001-2003 will remember the nickname ‘Nightmare’ or the formal name-Nana Yaw Kumi, of Canterbury House.
Full of humour and with great understanding of music, Nana Yaw Kumi thrilled us to great self-composed high life songs almost every weekend during our school Entertainment nights. Sometimes, he challenged himself by taking up rap music and he was really good at that too.
I cannot say Nana Yaw Kumi was my best friend but there was no way you could have passed through Adisco during my years out there without knowing me—I was that popular (for some absurd reasons) so was Nightmare, now called Kumi Guitar. We were not ‘tight friends’ but we bumped into each other almost everyday and knew each other well. Even off campus, I remember how we once went on a ‘selling adventure’ in Accra together—trying to make some quick bucks as expected of Adisadel College students.
So contrary to the popular assumption that ‘out of nothing’, something has appeared—Kumi Guitar has always been here, has always loved music and even attempted to push through our Showbiz industry in the past without gaining the deserving attention.
With Mark Okraku Mantey by his side, Kumi Guitar has jumped higher —and I am glad to see that the total rebranding in terms of his style of music and name is doing the MAGIC.
Kumi Guitar’s case is just like Shatta Wale (formerly known as Bandana)—a clear indication that rebranding and refocusing work, as long as you have the right persons by your side. Bandana and his style then did not pull in much attention but Shatta Wale and his new dynamics (though certain times unnecessary) have pushed him to the top.
Same way, Nightmare and the rap music (Hiplife) did not fetch Nana Yaw Kumi the deserving attention—but the name-Kumi Guitar and Highlife seem to be doing wonders. Of course, Mark Okraku Mantey’s influence and lobbying cannot go unmentioned.
At the end of it all, I am glad that a friend from Adisadel College, who held unto his talent, vision and has shown dedication to his beliefs has found grounds and success in our saturated music industry.
Above all, I am happy he has secured two 2014 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards nominations- New Artist of the Year and Highlife Song of The Year.
For those of us who know him, his talent and the sort of struggles he has gone through to achieve this will surely say, he deserves to take home the two awards. In fact, how far he has come says one thing—do not give up your dreams, they are all valid and one day, you will come through shinning like a star. Just keep pushing…
Currently, Kumi Guitar’s song ‘Break In Two’ also known as ’1 Litre’ is TRENDING.
Listen to the song below…
[audio:http://ghcelebrity.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Kumi-Guitar-I-Litre.mp3]Click Here to Listen If You Are Using Mobile/Apple
Good to know, atleast we got some new flavour to spice up our one way industry,
i like this break into two track. totally forgot about him mpo, good to see him back
i watched this guy in the video of the song “virgin” and always refered to him as Reggie Zippie until the song ADOMA BRA.
Very happy i got his name during the VGMA.
Welcome back on the scenes….Massa we dey solidly behind you.