Entertainment
Top Picks: Exploring KiDi’s hidden gems
Today, we are not reviewing a conventional album. I was inspired to write this and unofficially call them an album after a friend was shocked when I shared some of them with him.
Also, KiDi is the 2022 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Artiste of the Year, so what better time to bring this to you. So here goes nothing:
Ghanaians love the Afrobeats/Afropop music KiDi makes – it’s great – we all love it.
But there is a section of Ghanaians who in addition to all the poppy tunes like to take things slow. They’d love music to waltz to slow, cool, RnB like music and they get their fix from US/UK/Canadian music industries.
Those two are great places to find such tunes since they boast of artistes like Celine Dion, Adele, Ed Sheeran, Mario, Justin Bieber, Mary J Blige, Usher, Neyo, The Weekend and the list goes on.
However, the Ghanaian music industry also can boast of such music only that those ones (and sometimes the artistes who sang them) are not as popular.
KiDi is one of such. I call his RnB inspired music hidden gems in his albums and EP.
Every time he releases a collection of songs, Ghanaians select their favourite Afropop/Afrobeats “jam” to give those their attention. However, because there is an effort to push Ghanaian music, this RnB inspired jams from KiDi can be ‘exploited’ too.
In 2021, in the Golden Boy documentary, KiDi talked about his growth in the industry and for the first time, he answered a question I have been looking forward to for an answer, since he became the “Thunder” crooner. The question – where did the RNB music lover go? Where is that music?
Don’t get me wrong, like many people, I love his Afropop stuff but I equally loved the earlier music he made.
Yes, it may be an RnB inspired work but his diction (exploring the use of pidgin and Ghanaian related terms) and production make his slowed versions of songs rich and enjoyable without sounding like a copy or an imitation of known RnB artistes who may inspire him.
Before ‘Odo’ became a hit I got my KiDi music fix from these songs including his mash-up of One Dance, Anointing and No Kissing Baby. He turned upbeat Afrobeats songs into one of the best-slowed songs you’d ever listen to and it never gets old.
So yeah, I was curious at the time as to why those were no longer a staple in the new KiDi music catalogue.
KiDi explained in the documentary that he was adamant about making RnB music when he started out as a new artiste. However, his label advised him to make a switch or incorporate other local genres, especially highlife and Afrobeat into his music.
He revealed that Lynx Entertainment boss Richie explained that Ghanaians do not openly embrace RnB like they do other genres of music.
I completely understood. The RnB-like music does not cater to the mainstream Ghanaian and if he needed to succeed as an artiste, it was in his best interest to make something for the mainstream and it worked and people couldn’t be happier.
Also, no award scheme rewards RnB in this country – and why should they? It’s not originally ours and we haven’t claimed it like we have Reggae, Dancehall and Hip-hop.
As a music enthusiast, who snoops around a lot, I realised after his first album that he hasn’t completely thrown away his love for RnB. There are songs on Sugar, Blue EP and Golden Boy that veered off the Afrobeats route to a more RnB sound.
My theory after ‘Sugar’ was that, he wanted to feed his ‘day one’ fans who love his RnB stuff, but also cater to the side of him that still loves that genre of music.
Why else would we have acoustic/slowed versions of his biggest afrobeat songs like ‘Enjoyment’, ‘Say You Love Me’, ‘So Fine’ and ‘Ping Pong’ – again all my theories.
KiDi may have not thought through that at all. Maybe he’s just making all kinds of music. But what’s life without a little conspiracy theory, right? Right!
This is one of KiDi’s early songs and it was released under his label Lynx Entertainment. It was the song he sang during his time at the MTN hitmaker show. The artistes were expected to sing their own songs (I’m not sure whether it was at the finale) and it won him a lot of accolades. It may not be the best song he’s written, but it surely is a good one.
In the YouTube video, Drunk, is described as KiDi’s first original song. It was produced by Kay So. After many listen, I am tempted to believe that the song was inspired by The Weekend’s ‘Can’t Feel My Face’ – Maybe, maybe not!
It’s a great song from a then amateur singer/songwriter, give it a chance, especially if you are an RnB fan.
All I have to say is I recommend this song to all the heartbroken – leave all your pain and anguish on this song. Make this your new heartbreak anthem, it’s worth it.
One Dance Medley
This is not a KiDi song but it deserves the honourable mention. In 2016, the Afrobeat uprising finally got to the world. There were great songs that enjoyed massive airplay, especially with how great they were.
KiDi on his Ground Up session turned three of those songs – namely; One Dance, No Kissing Baby and Anointing – into one of the best medleys you’d ever hear.
In 2020, I advocated for this song to be nominated in the Highlife Song of the Year category. Click play and you’ll find out why. It may not be RnB but it’s here because it’s a jam, sue me!
Jokes aside, Letter to Afia remains one of the best Highlife songs he has ever written.
There was a storytelling theme in KiDi’s debut album ‘Sugar’ which was explored in the musical ‘Sugar’ — a film released alongside the album.
This is one of my favourite songs on the album and the opening remark is one heartfelt word.
Say You Love Me Remix ft Cina Soul
You know Say You Love Me, but do you know the remix? KiDi enlisted Cina Soul – his ‘girlfriend’ given to him by social media – for this one. It is a slow version of the original and a beautiful duet.
Where are the players??? This one is yours. This is the song spelling out all the requirements you expect from a love interest. All the job was done for you by KiDi, all that is left is to play it for the intended.
This was a hit, you must have heard of it.
This tune is a good representation of Afrobeats meets RnB in my opinion. It is mostly Afrobeat and a gem. It was part of the Blue EP which won Album of the Year at the 2021 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards.
While you are at it listen to Next Time I See You also on the Blue EP.
This is not a KiDi song but one he was featured on. American Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Stokley enlisted KiDi for this one.
This song is on this list not because it is RnB influenced, but because it’s just a great song and I believe it should not be buried by Ghanaians. Good news though, it is one of the most listened to KiDi songs on Spotify.
This song has Rnb influences. Speaking about this song in his album, KiDi revealed that this song was inspired by Micheal Jackson. He wrote it using titles of popular Micheal Jackson songs like Dirty Diana, Smooth Criminal, Black or White, Bille Jean, Liberian Girl, Bad and Dangerous (1991 album), which of course is the title of the song.
This song easily has the ability to charm everyone. This is what ‘E Be Like Say’ could be but wasn’t. Obviously, it is because he has grown as an artiste and a person which in turn has an effect on the music he makes.
C’est fini!!!
Certainly, this is not to say that KiDi’s popular hits are any less good. In fact, this peace only seeks to appeal to Ghanaian music enthusiasts to be open-minded about music. Not every artiste is open to changing their style or making ‘dance’ music.
There are some artistes who truly have catalogues that are worth giving attention to, even though they do not fall within the ‘normal’ Ghanaian song category.
Source: www.myjoyonline.com
The fourth edition of the fast-rising fashion and cultural event, the Slit and Kaba Festival, is set to take place on May 1 at the Legon City Mall in Accra.
Organised by Roots Africa, the festival aims to promote Ghanaian culture through the traditional Kaba and Slit outfit, known for its vibrant African prints and unique designs.
Speaking to The Spectator Agoro ahead of this year’s edition, dubbed “Old School Kaba and Slit Meets Batakari,” the Founder of Roots Africa, Mrs. Deborah Kabutey-Djisah, popularly known as Manye Korngo, said the event has gained significant popularity over the years and promised an even bigger experience this time around.
“The intention is to revive old-school fashion while celebrating our revered Fugu, also known as Batakari, which has gained massive exposure in recent times,” she stated.
“It is also an opportunity to showcase our culture and demonstrate to young people how fashion has evolved over the years,” she added.
She further called on vendors to come on board to display their products and services, noting that thousands of patrons are expected to attend the event.
“Don’t miss the chance to have your brand featured on our flyers, make incredible sales, and be part of an unforgettable experience,” she urged.
According to her, the previous edition was a great success, attracting patrons from across the country. Due to the growing interest, a larger venue had to be secured to accommodate the anticipated crowd.
“I’m expecting ten times more people than we had at last year’s festival,” she added.
Patrons of this year’s Praise Reloaded by Joe Mettle will have a wonderful time in the presence of the Lord at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The much- anticipated concert is scheduled for June 28.
Ensuring patrons enjoy an undiluted encounter with God, the event, will feature evergreen, Daughters of Glorious Jesus, Bethel Revival Choir, Eugene Zuta among others.
Speaking at the launch which took place on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at the Reverb Studios located at Sowutoum, Joe Mettle said, other artistes would be announced in the lead up to the event. “This is the first set of guests, others would be announced.”
He said having the legendary trio, Daughters of Glorious Jesus has been a dream come true.
According to him, he’s always wanted to have them and other legends on Praise Reloaded.
Joe Mettle revealed that the theme for this edition is, The River, “The river speaks more about the spirit of God. A passage in Psalms reads, there is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.” – Psalm 46:4.”
He further said the river brings life, nourishment and hope, adding that they are trusting God that throughout the preparations, people would ve given Grace to encounter this river during the event.
‘‘By 1pm, the doors would be opened at the Accra Sports Stadium for people to come in, settle for the service to take off at 3pm,’’ he said.
Daughters of Glorious Jesus who were at the launch congratulated Joe Mettle for how far he has come and impact in the space.
They pledged ensuring an intimate encounter with God on June 28, and urged all and sundry to be at the Accra Sports Stadium.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
