Kwame Yogot wants to be the New King of Ghanaian hip hop

29 Oct 2021 - 13:44

Having traded in the underground circuit for about a decade, it took grit and perseverance for Kwame Yogot (born Kenneth Kyeremanteng) to make a strong impression on the music industry. This persistence paid off in February 2021 when his single ‘Biibi Besi’ became one of Ghana’s biggest records. Featuring Kuami Eugene, the success of the drill influenced song comes down to its aspiration lyrics and catchy rhythm.

Kwame Yogot.

The newfound success served as a catalyst for Kwame Yogot. He would release a follow-up single ‘Oh Ah’ in April 2021. Although ‘Oh Ah’ did not achieve the same level of success as ‘Biibi Besi’, the single kept Kwame Yogot’s name alive within local music conversations.

The six-track New King EP seeks to introduce Yogot’s talent to the world and also to leverage fresh success. It is crafted around the themes of hope, success, and life. The songs are modelled for mainstream radio airplay due largely to its hip hop and highlife grooves which also lend the EP a “street” edge.

‘Finally’, the first song off the EP introduces Kwame Yogot to the listener. On this mid-tempo Afropop record, the rapper reminisces about his life prior to breaking through the mainstream music market. His use of repetition was aimed at emphasising how badly he has wanted to get to this point in his career, admitting that there’s more to do. The keyboard chords that props the chorus give ‘Finally’ a nostalgic highlife feel.

The theme of life and celebration of success continues on the gospel-styled ‘Hallelujah’. Collaborating with Harmony Choir from Kumasi, Kwame Yogot delivers assuring words to listeners who may be dealing with life’s harsh realities. ‘Hallelujah’ employs old Ghanaian gospel lyrics as its hook, a deliberate attempt to grab attention.

The drill sound returns on the Kweku Flick-assisted ‘For The Boys’, on which the duo discuss harsh realities that have compelled many young people to assume the roles of breadwinners. On the EP’s title track, he shows off his rap ability through different flows and styles to great admiration. Similar to many hip hop records, the lyrics are characterised by intensity and homage to veteran Sarkodie.

Closing the collection is ‘Virgin’, which is his commentary on society’s encouragement of promiscuous attitudes. To many, New King, a precursor to his new album, is intended as a comment on the rapper’s range, as well as something to dismiss the “one-hit wonder” label that may be slapped on him.

If there is one quality Kwame Yogot uses to great effect, it is lacing his verses with humorous lyrics; a trick that lightens up the mood on songs despite their heavy themes. New King however falls short on its production value – sounding redundant at various points. One also gets the sense that Kwame Yogot holds back lyrically – something he must remedy in his subsequent releases.