Ghanaian rapper KooKusi secures top fellowship in US

Born Nana Kofi Kusi-Boadum, KooKusi is currently in his third year of a PhD in biomedical science programme at the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth.

Pre-doctoral grants are awarded to students whose projects show promise in breaking new ground. KooKusi’s proposed project involves investigating the interoceptive actions of ganglion stimulants and nicotine reward, an endeavour focused on unravelling the mechanisms underlying nicotine addiction and identifying novel targets for smoking cessation.

“Receiving the AHA pre-doctoral award is not just another accolade for a PhD student, it’s a valuable asset that adds to one’s credibility and opens doors in the competitive landscape of job hunting,” KooKusi told Music In Africa. “Considering the high level of competitiveness of this award, it serves as a source of reassurance. We’ve made some preliminary progress in understanding how the effects of nicotine – the active ingredient in cigarettes, cigars, vape, hookah, and other tobacco-based products– outside the brain contribute to addiction. With the support of exceptional mentorship and this accolade, I am poised to embark on the main phases of my research.”

KooKusi also stressed the significance of mental health for creatives, stating that the complexities of the human brain have intrigued him long before his involvement in music, underscoring the impact of genetics, socialisation and consumption on mental wellbeing. He added that for artists like himself, creative abilities are intricately linked to mental state, making it essential to maintain the right frame of mind for continued livelihood.

Raised in Accra, KooKusi, previously Slykid, started his rap career in high school, temporarily pausing it while pursuing a doctor of pharmacy degree at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in 2013. His musical revival came with his engagement in SASA, a Christian-centric creative group. This period also introduced him to photography and videography and saw the birth of Pharmedia, a venture dedicated to elevating the pharmacy profession and health education through media. He garnered the Dean’s Excellence Award in 2018, later transitioning to teaching and research after obtaining his pharmacist qualification, ultimately pursuing a PhD in biomedical sciences at the University of North Texas in 2021, concentrating on mental health.

In his artistry, KooKusi explores socially relevant issues through freestyles and skits. Collaborating with producer Rdeebeatz, he released his debut EP 5Foot3 in 2022, winning the Hunukane EP of the Year. His sophomore collection Greetings from Abroad explores mental health, with focus track ‘Greatest Fear’ addressing themes of fear and suicide.

On balancing music and academic commitments, the rapper said: “I’m not sure anymore, it changes every semester, but at the core of it, it’s been a tug of war between urgency and importance. While I cherish weaving musical narratives that leave a lasting impact, I remain acutely aware of the academic rigour and its overarching relevance to my future. My best bet is to ensure that after every fallow period, the musical silence breaker is resounding and remarkable. I like to think I’m doing a good job at that.”