Music of Sunday, 3 August 2003

Source: ghanamusic.com

Metoaso ? Okomfo Kwaadee

Okomfo Kwaadee Last year, Okomfo took Kumasi by a huge storm with his song Kwaadee. Soon, the storm had spread and the whole country appeared and to be dancing to Kwaadee and the name of the young musician had become Okomfo Kwaadee.

The Manner in which he closed the chapter on his debut, left many wondering and debating how the sequel to Kwaadee`s rather strange story would be like. With the release of his latest album which is set to be a chart-buster, Okomfo gives a new twist to the story of Kwaadee.

Coming under the title Metoase, the album maintains the traditional hiplife form characteristics of Okomfo and phenomenally improves upon it. It continues the epic story of the selfish, lazy and self-centered Kwaadee who mistakenly poisons his step children.

A quick flip through the eight tracks on the album reveals the rare rap talent of Okomfo, fused with great sound, great choruses, unique rap and excellent traditional, highlife and raga rhythms. The Okomfo calls for deep reflection and a clear understanding of the Twi language to glean its meanings. For a musician who is not indigenously Asante, Okomfo has such a mastery over the language that is simply mind-boggling. Perhaps such brilliance could be attributed to the fact that he was born in Kumasi and has spent virtually his whole life there. Notwithstanding that fact, he simply has a way with the Twi language.

The story-line of Kwaadee`s dramatic life picks up from where the death of his step-children had been discovered. Word goes round that Kwaadee is involved in the death of the children and a man-hunt begins for him. Kwaadee is arrested, brought to the Chief?s courtyard and beaten till he confesses to committing the act. What punishment should be meted out to Kwaadee listeners? Okomfo leaves it at that and says that he wants his listeners to make their own conclusions. He wants listeners to be creative and give Kwaadee a fitting punishment.

On the song M`ani Abere, Okomfo sings his heart out as a serious-minded cat artiste whose red eyes and dirty feet indicates how far he and his company of followers (Etuatedom) have travelled.

He follows up with Boyz Boyz, a party song showing solidarity with his team of boys boys who are set in all readiness to party to the extreme. In Ahwedee Abena, Okomfo prides himself with the ability to do things with one-touch approach. This song seems to be the most controversial track on the album as parts of it hovers precariously on the brink of sexual suggestiveness. Yet, it has perhaps the most melodious chorus on the album.

Meyere Ne Mempena is the comical dilemma of a man torn between two women - his wife and his girlfriend. The wife is a very caring, respectful and hardworking but old-fashioned woman who refuses to change along with changing times. The other girl is an expensive and modern party girl who is a real money-guzzler. He eventually decides to settle for the former. Ofienipa is the only slow tempo track on the album. It is a moving chronicle of the troubles of an orphan who, faced with the realities of life and rejection by loved ones, resorts to alcohol as a solution to his problems.

The Album has a sustaining effect which gets better and better as the tracks roll.