7. Obrafuor

Since rap music got introduced in Ghana and started gaining roots, we’ve seen a lot of artistes pass through, some pioneering, some who just wanted to rebel in their teenage and early adult years, others to disturb us with their dream life of money, sex and drugs, while others were sent with a halo and a purpose- to spit bars of art, truth, conscience and insight to us mortals. Obrafuor, in my opinion is one of the latter people.

I have too much respect for the man. For a high school dropout (not because of music by the way) he has done what many schooled and very learned people may never achieve. Some people refer to Michael Elliot Kwabena Okyere Darko’s  first album Pae Mu Ka as his magnum opus and yes that is a very true assertion but I’ve got too many favourites of his list here but the 2002 hit Maame for his late mother really strikes a chord probably better than Boyz to Men’s Mama.

Okay I’ll mention some of the others, Yaanom, Aden, Agoro no Aso, Asem Sebe, Osaegyefo, Heavy, the famous song about indiscipline Nya Ntete pa et ce tera. Too many good tunes and hits. I think he was just born a little too early; no current rapper has got anything on him.

In rap music in Ghana, Obrafuor is a LEGEND. I mean you have to just love his humility and will to leave a lasting legacy. Well in another world he should have been resting in a villa somewhere on a hill or by a beach with pink sand, living off royalties but he’s trying to remain relevant; he hasn’t done too badly with that however.