There were rumours that I’d broken many hearts - Kwabena Kwabena

Kwabena Kwabena is one of the most popular high life artistes in the country today whose songs are enjoyed by many Ghanaians especially, women. Many people will attest to the fact that he has a romantic voice which he normally uses in singing love songs to attract the attention of isteners particularly, women.

Interacting with The Saturday Statesman last Wednesday, he claimed he was soon going to release another earth-rocking album.

Kwabena Kwabena then willingly told this reporter a lot of things about himself.

You are popularly known as Kwabena Kwabena, can you tell us your real name and a little about yourself?

My name is George Kwabena Adu. I’m thirty years of age and a Ghanaian from the Central region.

How did you get into the music industry?

I just find myself in a situation where I had to help someone and that person happens to be a CEO of an organization. On realizing that I can sing, he offered to help me. So the show began. Aside this, I also sing in church and play instruments. That’s how I developed the art of singing.

Which year was that?

Roughly about 10 years ago; that was 1992.

What is the title track of your first album?

‘Aso’

Why the title ‘Aso’?

‘Aso’ is the name of a woman. She dated a guy for so many years and the guy went through a whole lot just to satisfy her, but at the end of the day ‘Aso’ went in for another guy. So it was just a piece of advice to guys who are into courtship.

Did this incident really happen to you as many people have been wondering? And do you really believe that story?

Not really; and I want to clear the air today. Well, it didn’t happen to me as people are saying, but my very close friend fell into that situation. That’s why I thought it wise to use it to advise my fellow men.

Which album did you launch late last year?

The title of that album was ‘Dabi’, which literally means one day. That was just the pre-launch, but I’m yet to release the full package of it in a few weeks time.

How does the title ‘Dabi’ affect the lives of people?

It’s just like in everything one does, you will one day understand things better, so in short, one day you will get to understand this song.

Why did you join Madd Haus?

I didn’t just join them, they rather were looking for an artiste and fortunately for me, I was called on board.

And are you comfortable with this new management?

Of course! I’m so much comfortable because they have everything in place that every artiste will need to enhance his/her skills. Their attitude towards work as well as conditions is simply satisfactory. In fact everything here is just ok for me.

Do you write the songs on your own?

Yes all the songs are written by me.

What are some of the things you think are affecting the music industry?

As for problems, there are a whole lot. We have improperly structured copy right system in the country; royalties are not being paid well and other petty, petty things which need to be addressed. We just hope that things will fall in the right places in due course.

Do you see any improvement in the industry from the 70s to this generation?

I wouldn’t like to compare but what I will say is, every season or every year has its own people who enjoy a particular music. So in this situation, those in the 70s and 80s enjoyed the kind of music they had at their disposal, and we in this generation are also enjoying ours, and so basically that is how I see it.

In what ways has this profession affected your life?

It has really brought a lot of changes in my life — both positive and negative. The positive aspect is, I have over 1,000 people who are enjoying my music and what I do. The negative part is that, I no longer enjoy my freedom as I used to. I no longer walk along the road side because people will recognize me and crowd around me. It is very, very frustrating.

How many music awards have you received so far?

Two. That is Male Vocalist of the Year and Song Writer of the Year 2006.

Do you see this as a privilege, as there are others who have been in the system for quite a long time before you came in yet, they haven’t even received a single ward?

No. I don’t see it in that way. It’s just a matter of putting in hard work and delivering to the audience what they like.

I am aware that you just got married last year. How are you coping with the situation?

It’s normal with me, and she is also coping well with it because we dated for a very long time before getting married so she understands the nature of my job.

As handsome as you are, I know a lot of ladies will fall for you. Did you ever encounter such a situation before marriage?

(Laughter) And do you think I’m that handsome?

I can’t really tell, but that’s what people are saying about you.

You see, in this world, it is normal for any guy to have admirers, but at the end of the day you will by all means get married to only one person. Even after marriage, there were rumours that I’d broken many hearts just because I married early, so it was like a shock to people. But hey! Such is life. One has to move on. Besides this, I am getting older; I am 30 years now, and I need to set up a family and make babies. I mean babies!

What do you do outside singing?

I’m a draughtsman, a builder and a construction technician, but music has taken a better part of me. However, I will go back to school very soon to read architecture.

What do you do in your leisure hours?

I swim and watch movies especially, the foreign ones, because they are well-directed and structured. I also look out for the ones which have passion for originality. Not that I don’t like the local ones. I do like them if only they entails these features.

What will you say about those who rush into the industry and soon disappear?

It’s not about they rushing into it, but that they don’t really understand how the industry operates. You will also notice that some producers who invest in the industry sometimes lose at the end because you wouldn’t feel anything in the songs produced. So it takes a lot of hard work before you would be able to sustain it. And these days, due to this pirating business, if you don’t have money, it will take a very long time before you can come out with a second album.