Kojo Antwi: I will change my name and release a new album in 2023

Afro-pop, highlife and reggae musical artiste, Kojo Antwi, also known as ‘Mr Music Man’ has said he will release a new album next year (2023).

The award-winning singer said the new album will coincide with the changing of his stage name in the music industry.

Appearing on The Asaase Breakfast Show on Friday (23 December), the Ammrika hitmaker said the purpose of his new album is to solely satisfy his followers.

“I have worked on this long time ago; I have worked on it with KY, with a whole lot of other young guys, but you always need to strategise to bring a song out,” Antwi said.

He added: “And next year, I will be bringing an album out, it is not for the trends, I don’t do what others do to trend, but I have a following and I need to serve them.”

Listen to Kojo Antwi in the attached audio clip:

Meanwhile, Kojo Antwi has said being a musician is the best profession one can ever have. He said the smiles and love that music shares can never be replicated by any other profession.

Speaking with Kent Mensah on Sunday Night earlier this year on Asaase Radio, the Adiepena hitmaker said, “I don’t think there’s any better profession like to be a musician…I never thought people would gravitate to my sound, words and moods like they have done and as long as I have that feeling in me, as long as I feel that love, you can’t quit…”

Observing ‘Mr. Music Man’ at close range as he strides in and out of the studio at his MacCharty Hills estate in Accra where he is engaged in rehearsals with his bandsmen, it is understandable why his annual gig packs the crowds.

As to whether he misses his active days with back-to-back albums in the music scene, he said “No, I don’t because it has gotten even better. If you were at my show on 24 December, you would have been amazed. I was on stage for four hours…so it has gotten better…”

With an exciting and successful musical career spanning over two decades, ‘Mr Music Man’ has established himself as a consummate vocalist; a prolific songwriter, producer, arranger and enigmatic performer.

Remaining relevant

Kojo Antwi said the problem in the Ghanaian music industry is that the environment is not conducive for the young ones to learn and improve.

He said it is important for the up and coming artists to continue to remain relevant in the music industry and “we need to accommodate these young ones…

“I have never stepped on stage and felt as though I wanted it to end. I always wish that my performances never end.”

He added, “I think our environment is not too fertile for most of these young ones; first of all, I put a bit of the blame on the vibrant social media that has emerged.

Praise-singing

“I think there’s too much praise-singing [in the music industry]. You have these young ones who come out with a song and then you hear people using [certain] words for them that makes it impossible for you to speak to them …”

He said society stop budding artists from reaching the height of their talents by flattering them.

“We kill the dreams of these young ones because we stop them from listening to the older generation that they can learn from…”