Ghana mourns producer UndaBeat

The musician’s death was widely reported by local media on Thursday, three days after celebrating his birthday on 23 September. Rapper and frequent collaborator Yaa Pono also confirmed the news on social media.

“You mess [sic] up my whole mood this morning, bro,” Yaa Pono posted to his 1.4 million Instagram followers. “Why, Unda? Rest in peace, my brother.”

UndaBeat’s cause of death is not immediately known, and the producer’s family has yet to release an official statement regarding his passing, news of which has sparked an outpouring of grief on social media, including from fellow producer Dr Ray Beat, as well as musicians Pope Skinny and Fameye.

Born Eric Nkrumah, UndaBeat ventured into music production and sound engineering in Mankessim with Ebibifo Records, before relocating to Tema-based Screech Studio in 2013. He later joined forces with the Yaa Pono-led Uptown Energy label, where he produced several hits for Yaa Pono, including ‘Bokor’ and ‘Bibi Nti’.

A 2019 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Instrumentalist of the Year nominee, UndaBeat is also widely known as the producer behind Black Sherif’s ‘Cry For Me’, Shatta Wale’s ‘New Formula, and Stonebwoy’s ‘Top Skanka’ and ‘Sobolo”, which clinched Highlife Song of the Year at the 2021 3Music Awards.

Unda Beat’s last published work is Quamina MP’s ‘Prayer’, which arrived on 23 September.