5. Daddy Lumba (Charles Kojo Fosu)

D.L says Lumba means freedom, let’s just assume he is right, after all he’s the owner of the name (in Indonesia, lumba-lumba means dolphin. Let’s still assume he is right). I’ve never really been a huge fan but I must admit he has over 25 albums. That is an insane achievement worth doffing my hat.

I will choose to call him, rather than someone else, the Ghanaian R.Kelly. Very instrumental in sealing highlife as a Ghanaian innovation, Lumba has carved a niche for himself which is very enviable. Part of the burger highlife movement, Daddy Lumba has remained relevant till date, winning fans from my dad’s generation all the way to my generation.

Ghanaians and Africans who have stayed in Europe for a large chunk of their lives or resided there partially, who virtually revere him will rate him higher but on my list he is my no.5. I think his biggest hit-Aben Wo Ha which was released in the late 90’s was the jam!

With all the weird and bizarre things going in Ghana in the late 90’s (ashola, the 48 hour blackout which occurred every other day, serial killings, Rawlings as our President etc.), he really serenaded us enough to get us through it, enabling us to still see the fun in life.

Kojo Antwi in an interview in 2011 had this to say when he was asked who his favourite musician was, “I know my answer will come as a surprise to many people. My favourite artiste in Ghana is Daddy Lumba. He explained further that he chose Daddy Lumba as his favourite artiste because he has contributed in many ways to the musical heights. Yes Kojo, I am very surprised but that goes to show what he has been able to accomplish. Thumbs up!