The authentic and energetic youth band, within a short period captured the ears and eyes of Ghanaians and the neighbouring West African countries.
The potential the band had and the early discovery by an international agent brought the band to Europe,where they performed with overwhelming success in several festivals in Denmark and Sweden alongside Reggae & African well known Stars. The band was confronted with popularity and immigration problems within a short period of time. This brought about the disintergration of this wonderful band.
Kojo after a short while went solo. His first solo album >All I need is you < became a chart buster in Ghana. It was been played anywhere music sounds in the country. This album gave him the encouragement to continue and to become what he is today. THE Nr. 1 MUSIC STAR OF GHANA SINCE 1989.
Today, Kojo´s popularity in Ghana cannot be described with words alone. Series of awards, Nr. 1 hits in any Music charts around the country with any album he releases, nonstop airplays, TV shows in Ghana, Ivory Coast, Togo, Senegal and U.T.N.A.,(United Television Network of Africa), tells how fast his career is gaining grounds to cover Africa as a whole. He was currently nominated for the African Musician of the year 1996 held in Juli in Johannesburg, South Africa, only to be beaten by Papa Wemba.
Kojo has already made tours in Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, Senegal, he is currently on Tour in Ivory Coast till end of March, and Burkina Faso, playing only at State Halls and Stadiums for thousands of people. In Ghana any performance with the star gets sold-out.
He was invited direct from Ghana in ´93 as the aspiring star of Africa for the famous African Festival in Delft, Holland. He also passed through Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany and the U.K. performing upon the invitation of the African Societies thus making this tours more African than European.
It is time to get out from the national into the intercontinental market, the world should hear more about real live, love, happines, agony and poverty down in Africa.<< Kojo said.
Kojo plays Reggae with lots of African influences in the Lovers Rock style and Roots Reggae alongside authentic African songs. He sings in both English and vernacular. He has lady dancers, lady background singers and top Musicians who have worked with international Stars like Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba. He has a Master Saxophone player from Sierra Leone.
Sunkwa
Kojo Antwi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
ɛdan mansi bi a, mansi bi a,
Mansi bi a, (If I've failed to build a house)
Abrokyire mannkɔ bi a, mannkɔ bi a, m
Annkɔ bi a, (If I've been unable to travel abroad)
Mennkɔ sɛn me ho oo, (I'll not hang myself)
Menni awerɔho oo,... (I'll not be sad)
Nkwa ne ahoɔden, ɛno nkoa n'ehia me ee, (
Aboterɛ ne akokoduro,
ɛno nkoa n'ehia me ee (Patience and courage are all I need)
In Kojo Antwi's song "Sunkwa," the lyrics emphasize the importance of contentment and finding happiness in the present moment rather than being preoccupied with material possessions or achievements. The song begins by stating "Sika yi sɛ mannya bi a, mannya bi a, mannya bi a," which translates to "If I have no money, if I've failed to build a house, if I've been unable to travel abroad," highlighting the value that society places on wealth, property and status symbols. However, the subsequent lines, "Mennkɔ sɛn me ho oo, menni awerɔho oo," which roughly translates to "I'll not hang myself, I'll not be sad," emphasizes the singer's inner strength and resilience in the face of societal pressure to conform to these norms.
The next lines of the song, "Nkwa ne ahoɔden, ɛno nkoa n'ehia me ee, aboterɛ ne akokoduro, ɛno nkoa n'ehia me ee," further highlight the importance of inner strength and contentment by stating that long life, good health, patience and courage are all the singer needs to be happy. This is a departure from the traditional societal view of happiness, which is based on material accomplishments and external validation.
In conclusion, "Sunkwa" is a powerful message of self-acceptance, resilience, and finding happiness in the present moment. It encourages listeners to focus on what's truly important in their lives and to let go of societal pressures to conform to materialistic norms.
Line by Line Meaning
Sika yi sɛ mannya bi a, mannya bi a, mannya bi a,
If I don't have money, if I don't have money, if I don't have money
ɛdan mansi bi a, mansi bi a, Mansi bi a,
If I haven't built a house, haven't built a house, haven't built a house
Abrokyire mannkɔ bi a, mannkɔ bi a, Annkɔ bi a,
If I haven't traveled abroad, haven't traveled abroad, haven't traveled abroad
Mennkɔ sɛn me ho oo,
I won't hang myself no matter what
Menni awerɔho oo,...
I won't be sad at all
Nkwa ne ahoɔden, ɛno nkoa n'ehia me ee,
Long life and good health are all I need
Aboterɛ ne akokoduro, ɛno nkoa n'ehia me ee
Patience and courage are all I need
Writer(s): Kwadjo Antwi Tano
Contributed by Miles S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@edmundopoku-agyeman2776
I saw him perform this song live at the University of Ghana Business School Auditorium in 1991 in what was perhaps the Maestro’s first solo (mini) concert in Ghana. Feeling nostalgic!
@franklincobbinah9515
Bishop Benard Nyarko brought me here.
@kelvinnettey4308
Same bro . Very sad experience
@lucybandoh7436
Same here ❤❤
@DadzieTV
Bishop brought me here
@ernestsam903
Same to me
@khodjowallabies4976
Exactly
@PalamoduxOctavex
Ghana let’s adore and celebrate our legends whiles they live amongst us.
Daddy Antwi I bless You 🙏🏾❤️
@AM_BluryyZ127
Woow the lyrics in this song Carey's a very Powerful message. I'm really turched and Blessed at the same time. This are the kind of songs we should listen to. God bless you Legend Kojo Antwi. 🙏🏿
@vineninja5882
I thought it was just an instrumental. Didn't know it had lyrics to it