Kanawu Radio number 1 news portal
As death placed its icy hands on Kofi B in the wee hours of Sunday, February 2, many industry folks, friends and music enthusiast joined the chorus of tributes to mourn the musician, describing his demise as a great loss to the industry.
According to musician Kofi Nti, the deceased, known in private life as Kofi Boakye Yiadom, had told him a week ago he was not well and was receiving treatment at End Point Homeopathic Clinic.
A report by Graphic Showbiz quotes Kofi Nti to have said he and Kofi B were booked for a birthday bash for a chief at Abaase Domenase on Sunday February 2.
He explained that they lodged in a hotel in the town ready to play the show only for Kofi B to bang on his door around 2:30 am that he was not feeling too good.
“The sad news is that Kofi B died at dawn today [February 2, 2020]. He is no more and I am really going to miss him because he was more than a brother to me” he said.
Indeed, the contribution of Kofi B to the arts was enormous, having composed and performed a catalogue of classic and timeless songs with his distinct voice for the listening pleasure of music lovers.
Here are top six songs of Kofi B that were mostly enjoyed by Ghanaians.
1. Mmobrowa
Kofi B hit the limelight after the release of ‘Mmobrowa’ in 2000. The song tells the story of an individual who is very concerned about his steps considering the fact that he is from a very poor home. With soothing guitar strings beginning the masterpiece, Kofi B gently implores proverbs to communicate such powerful message.
2. Koforidua Flowers
In 2007, Kofi B made a comeback with ‘Koforidua Flowers’, a song which trumpeted how beautiful and courteous his lover is and how he was eager to put a ring on her finger. The song featured Ofori Amponsah with a colorful video directed by Emklan Motion Pictures.
3. Yaw Dompre (Akua Ataa)
On ‘The Return of Kofi B’ album which had ‘Koforidua Flowers’ was a song with two titles – ‘Yaw Dompre’ (Akua Ataa). This piece with its video shot by Foreez Westside Production was about how disappointed a husband was after he was betrayed by two individuals he never envisaged – his wife and bosom friend. The song resonated and still resonates in a world where infidelity in marriages is common.
4. Afia Donkor
Produced by Kaywa and released in 2009, ‘Afia Donkor’ had Bradez [Flowking Stone and Kunta Kinte] spitting some bars on the highlife tune. It has a message for wives who maltreat their husbands when the men are drunk as it urges them not to be hostile when husbands sip alcohol. In the song, Kofi B stresses that men in their quest to deal with troubles which might have engulfed them, resort to taking alcohol. Wives, should therefore ensure husbands in that state eat before going to be lest could wake up to their lifeless bodies.
5. Bantama Kwasi Boakye
A 2015 classic ‘Bantama Kwasi Boakye’ produced by Kumasi-based Bassy Mix was enjoyed by the young and old. The groovy song is full of advice as it admonishes the youth to learn how to save towards the future instead of squandering every money they make. Like his other songs, ‘Bantama Kwasi Boakye’ had proverbs as part of the lyrics, projecting how deep Kofi B was.
6. Si Ejisu
Taking from the album ‘Brenya’ which was released in 2016 is ‘Si Ejisu’. This piece captures the love story of a man and a beautiful woman he intended marrying but had to end the relationship after discovering the lady lacks manners and other qualities of a good wife. Kofi B makes use of a Kumasi-Accra journey [248.5 km] to represent the destination of their affair and asks the lady to alight at Ejisu which is 15.0 km away from Kumasi.
