Emmanuel Kwesi Danso Arthur, known professionally as Kwesi Arthur, is a Ghanaian rapper, singer and songwriter. Kwesi Arthur was born on 18 December 1998 in Tema. He was raised in Tema Community 9 and is the second of four children with a brother named Benjamin Danso Arthur, who is popularly known as Dayonthetrack and is also a musician. After completing his high school education at Temasco in 2013, Kwesi’s plans of furthering his education to study psychology and law at the University of Ghana came to a standstill due to a lack of funds. This led the rapper to consider a job offer as a security guard in Tema. Kwesi Arthur got the security job and worked for a day (he knew it wasn’t his calling) then decided to pursue his music career at a local recording studio instead. Here, he made a deal with the owner of the recording studio to learn music production and record for free; in exchange, Arthur had to perform menial tasks around the studio like sweeping and general maintenance. In 2016, he met management from Ground Up Chale, a social media movement for young artists in West Africa, where he recorded his hit record “Grind day” at their studios a year later.
Four
Grind day
“Grind Day” is a breakout single by Ghanaian rapper Kwesi Arthur. Released on the 27th of April 2017, the song became a major anthem, especially among the youth, for its relatable themes of hard work, hustle, and perseverance. The track is part of his debut EP, “Live From Nkrumah Krom” which showcased his raw talent and storytelling abilities. This track has garnered over 2.5M views on it’s official music video on YouTube. The remix of the song, featuring Sarkodie and Medikal, further cemented its success, with each artist blending their unique styles with Kwesi Arthur’s youthful energy. This song played a key role in his rise to fame and won Hip Hop Song of the Year at the 2018 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA). This award highlighted the song’s massive impact in Ghana’s music scene and cemented Kwesi Arthur as one of the leading young talents in African hip-hop. The song also contributed to Kwesi Arthur receiving a nomination for Best International Act at the 2018 BET Awards, showcasing how Grind Day catapulted him onto the international stage. It’s regarded as a defining track in his career and remains one of his most celebrated works.
FYI
- Kwesi Arthur is one of the most successful artists in Ghana, with his music being internationally recognized and awarded.
Three
Baajo ft. Joeboy
“Baajo” is a hit single by Kwesi Arthur featuring Nigerian Afrobeat star Joeboy. “Baajo,” which means “come dance” in Ga is featured on Kwesi’s album “Son of Jacob”, the lyrics invites listeners to have fun and enjoy life, making it a perfect party anthem. This track was released in 2020 on the 4th of December. Kwesi Arthur delivers verses with a mix of English and Twi, while Joeboy’s backed it up with a romantic and vibrant flair. It has garnered over 7.8M streams on spotify and over 3.4M views on it’s Official Music Video on YouTube. “Baajo” received widespread acclaim for its cross-cultural appeal, Kwesi Arthur’s song “Baajo” featuring Joeboy received significant recognition in the Ghanaian music industry. At the 2022 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA), “Baajo” won the award for International Collaboration of the Year. This accolade highlights the song’s impact and the successful collaboration between Kwesi Arthur and Joeboy, blending Ghanaian and Nigerian musical elements.
Two
Gen Z by Kwesi Arthur and Joey B
Serving as his most recent release, “Gen Z” by Kwesi Arthur featuring Joey B is a standalone single released on December 6, 2024. The track showcases their chemistry and ability to produce music that resonates with the youthful and vibrant Gen Z culture. Its themes likely center on individuality and modern-day experiences, and it continues to highlight Kwesi Arthur’s versatility and Joey B’s charisma. It has garnered over 73k views on it’s Official Music Video on YouTube. The track was produced by Kreptismenace and co-produced by Altra Nova. The music video was directed by Yaw Phanta and creatively directed by Darryl Bannerman-Martin. As of now, there is no information available regarding any awards that “Gen Z” has garnered. Given its recent release, it’s possible that the song may receive nominations or awards in upcoming music award cycles.
Awards/Nominations
Arthur has won several accolades, including Rapper of the year and Hip Hop Song of the year at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards as well as a Viewer’s Choice Best International Act nomination at the 2018 BET Awards. He became the second Ghanaian rapper to be nominated for BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher after Sarkodie’s nomination in 2019.
In 2021, Kwesi also won the International Collaboration of the Year at the Ghana music awards.
Discography
- Kwesi has several EPs but only One studio award called:
- Son Of Jacob (2022)
One
Door by Kwesi and Joeboy
“Door” is a single by Nigerian artist Joeboy, featuring Ghanaian rapper Kwesi Arthur. The original version of “Door” was part of Joeboy’s debut album, Somewhere Between Beauty & Magic, released in early 2021. The remix featuring Kwesi Arthur was released on April 22, 2021, accompanied by an official music video directed by Andy Madjitey. From Kwesi Arthur’s perspective, “Door” was a pivotal collaboration that showcased his versatility as an artist and helped expand his reach beyond Ghana. This track has garnered over 16M streams on spotify and over 6.3M views on it’s Official Music Video on YouTube. Teaming up with Joeboy, a leading voice in Afrobeat, allowed Kwesi Arthur to delve into a more romantic and melodious sound, contrasting with his usual hip-hop and drill tracks. This collaboration displayed his ability to adapt to different styles and connect with diverse audiences. The song also strengthened his presence in the Afrobeat scene, which is heavily dominated by Nigerian artists, giving him a platform to further solidify his status as a Pan-African star. The success of “Door” not only introduced him to Joeboy’s fanbase but also opened doors (pun intended) for more international collaborations.
Leave a Reply