One of my favorite rappers in Ghana is Okyeame Kwame aka the Rap Doctor. After the interview I had with him, I may be tempted to say he is pushing for the title of ‘favorite’ period. He is already known as one of the best lyricists in Ghana and is one of the most featured rappers in the country. He has the honour of being the rapper featured on Daddy Lumba’s remix, Obi ate me so bo. Apart from Lumba’s songs with Mr. Borax, he had never featured a rapper. Such is the pedigree of the old KASS boy who is one-half of famed rap duo, Akyeame.

Okyeame Kwame’s latest album is called M’anwensem. It is the Twi translation of ‘my poetry’. Not many people liken poetry to music. I am a pretty good poet but have not been able to write any good music. Okyeame Kwame can do both and is even merging them. He calls the album his poetry and it conveys his thoughts. Even the songs are written in stanzas and not choruses, hooks and verses like most songs are written. Quame Nsiah Appau is bringing something new and I believe he will leave a legacy with this effort. His Bohyeba album announced his arrival with hit songs like Mate ahwe ne do mu (I have fallen into her love), the remix with Daasebre Gyamenah and Bradez, Hello Maame, Te m’ase (understand me) and Ghana Mmaa (Ghanaian women), while his critically acclaimed single on Obrafour’s Execution Diary called Opabeni enjoyed massive airplay.

Okyeame Kwame wants to use this album to address various social issues and aspects of life. Kwame Ghana is my favorite on the album. Expect lyrics on Museke.com soon. It uses Latin guitars and no drums. It is a personification of Ghana crying out to Ghanaians on things they do that hurt and worry Ghana. The song speaks about politics, religion, immorality everything. Kwame Ghana features Sandy of Mentor 2 and George Sparxx. Another song is Mmere which features Kwabena Kwabena (one of the musicians he admires most). Okyeame Kwame calls Mmere the deepest song he has ever written. Mmere (time) talks about all the things he wishes he could change; from slavery, to Nkrumah’s time, among others. Woso is another track I love, where the rap doctor implores listeners to shake off whatever problems or impediments they face. Richie is featured on the Woso remix. One song that is bound to enjoy some good airplay is Anaa featuring Wutah.

The dance and party track is bound to be ‘Medo mmaa nanso mempe mmaa’ (I love women but I don’t like women). This song talks about characteristics of different girls in different areas. It brings out the fact that your environment affects your thinking and orientation. For instance, if you date Nsawam girls, you see them once in a while, when you are going to Accra and they beat you with ‘bread’. He also talks about the differences between Bantama and Asokwa girls. Okyeame Kwame talks about girls from Nzulezu to East Legon. Medo mmaa’s remix features Okyeame Quophi and Nana Quame. Odo nkyen (with Morris) talks about an educated couple, and how they spend one day. The husband goes to work in the morning and then after work, he drives through traffic back to his lover. Another track, Tutu (with Kofi B) can be summarized as follows “I am the reason why you are setting traps all around, take them off cuz when I fly I’ll be airborne”.

Okyeame Kwame features Samini and his brother Kunta Kinte (of Bradez fame) on Woani so anaa (Do you appreciate this?). I enjoy how the song makes references to several famous people. Apparently, Kwasi Kyei Darkwa is very knowledgeable and a great orator. Slim Busterr is an excellent dancer and E T Mensah has a great voice. Yaa Asantewaa is very brave while Oprah Winfrey is very rich. Both lovers understand they are not any of the names aforementioned and they ask if their partners appreciate them nevertheless. It’s a beautiful song. Stone (another brother) and Morris make an appearance on Odo wo owuo akyi a (is there love after death?). There are two additional tracks which features two newbies. It seems Okyeame Kwame is using the album to promote a couple of people on his One Mic record label. I enjoyed Tie (listen) done by Dilute, Morris Babyface and Obrafour. The track introduces Dilute and Obrafour says the time is now. It seems Obrafour may have taken up singing full-time. Nana Akoto also makes an entrance with Yento nsuo mu featuring Okyeame Kwame himself.

The album’s executive producers are Okyeame Kwame and Charles London. Sound engineers who worked on the project include Richie the beat maker (Lynx Studios), Jay Que (Hush hush studios), Morris Babyface, Kaywa (Groove Zone), Richard (Mbox), Dave and Smoke Ice (Pocalos), and Appietus. You can call OM Studios at 0277308827 or JFK at 0243258733 for inquiries.