Kofi Kinaata

Martin King Arthur (born April 15, 1990), popularly known as Kofi Kinaata, is a Ghanaian musician and songwriter from Takoradi. Known for his Fante rap and freestyle, he is often referred to by the moniker of Fante Rap God (FRG).

Early life and education
Kofi Kinaata was born on April 15, 1990, and raised in Effiakuma, a residential town in Takoradi in the Western Region of Ghana. He attended Nana Brempong Yaw School for his basic school education and Takoradi Technical Institute for his secondary level of education.

Music career
In 2008, Kofi Kinaata participated in the Melody FM (Kasahari) rap competition and emerged as first runner-up. He released his first single, "Obi Ne Ba" in 2011. In 2013 he became part of the High Grade Family, a music collective established by Samini, where he received mentorship and gained national prominence.

In December 2015, he released a song titled "Made in Taadi" which was a jam for most Fante people due to the link to their famous "Ankos" (fancy dress and Masqueraders Xmas Carnival) annual festival, which happens every December 24.

He is noted for his lyrical dexterity in terms of unique rhyme schemes and humorous Fante rap style laced with a touch of traditional African proverbs in his local language to entertain and educate. At the 2019 Ghana National Gospel Music Awards ceremony, held in February 2020, he was honored with the Hybrid Song of the Year award.

Kofi Kinaata has won Songwriter of the Year in the Ghana Music Awards for three consecutive times.

In September 2023, during the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Awards that was heard in the University of Professional Studies Accra, Kinaata got the chance to perform at this event.

In May 2024, Kinaata released his first-ever Album/Eps project. He titled this EP, Kofi OO Kofi. The Ep, containing seven tracks, was a debut album to Kinaata after spending years in the music industry without an album.

Sweetie-pie
Sweetpie is a love song of its kind. The song starts with a great sensation expressing a great kind of love. Although the lyric was done in Fante, fans love the beats of the song. Kin Dee produced the song.

Confession
In 2016, he released "Confession" with most people relating the song to "Jesus Take The Wheel".

An abridged English version of the lyrics to the song was adopted by the English department of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology  for a Level 200 semester course (English Literature 263).

The song became Avram Grant's favorite Ghanaian track at the time it was released. He told Bola Ray in his last interview before he retired as a Ghana Black Stars Coach.

Kinaata's "Confession" was used in 2017 as the theme song by the Minority party (NDC) as a tease to the majority in parliament (NPP) to describe the state of the nation.

The Ghana Black Stars also did a "Confession" group dance as a form of celebration anytime a goal was scored, during the AFCON 2017 Tournament.

The song received considerable playtime and moved to the Top 10 in Ghana in 2016. He won the Song Writer of the Year and Best New Artiste of the Year awards at the 2016 edition of the Ghana Music awards.

Things Fall Apart
Things Fall Apart, a 2019 release has topped charts across music platforms, including iTunes Ghana Top 100, Audiomack Ghana Top 20 and Boomplay AfroBeats charts for weeks. The song which was produced by TwoBars was warmly received by music enthusiasts as one of the most well-written songs so far. The song has been widely played, circulated and shared on both traditional and social media. The song has also been on YouTube's Ghana trends with fellow celebrities giving it rave rating: Asamoah Gyan, Michael Essien, Kwami Sefa Kai, Phillip Osei Bonsu, Sadick Adams, KiDi, Efya, Berla Mundi, Joe Beecham among others.

 Thy Grace 

Thy Grace is one of his songs making waves in Ghana's Music. Many celebrities have jumped in videoing themselves dancing to the new banger.

A notable line in the song like  Charcoal seller ba nu so hye white  - translated  Charcoal seller son too now wears white .

This buttresses many views on how his songs are lyrically touching and sensible.

Collaborations
Kofi Kinaata has done major collaborations with artistes such as; Sarkodie, Shatta Wale, Samini, Stonebwoy, Kwesi Arthur, Jayso, Castro, Becca among others. One major collaboration that blew him to the mainstream and limelight was "Odo Pa" by Castro which featured Kinaata and Ghana Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan. The track was a hit all over the continent and won awards locally and internationally. Castro was a god-father and an inspiration to him since he grew up seeing him, and help him with his entry in the industry.

Obase Aboli, a Cameroonian musician has also disclosed his keen interest to collaborate with the Fante Rap God to bring out a hit song.

In March 2024, he was featured on a song called "Sika" by Okyeame Kwame, a musician from Ghana.

Management
Samini and Tony Pun signed Kofi Kinaata to the Samini Music/ High Grade Family record label in 2013. Kofi Kinaata left the label in 2018 after his 5-year contract with the management ended. He's currently an independent artiste with 'Team Move Music' which he heads as his management.

Made in Taadi Concert
The annual ‘Made in Taadi Concert’ is one of the biggest musical concerts in the Western and Central Regions of Ghana. The concert attracts fans of Kofi Kinaata and people from all classes in society. Fans travel far and near for this concert.

The show has been witnessed by fellow artists such as; Stonebwoy, Sarkodie, Shatta Wale, Pappy Kojo, Joey B, Kwaw Kese, Medikal, Kidi, Edem, etc.

In 2019, it was listed as one of the top 100 events in Ghana by Ghana Event Awards.

Kofi OO Kofi (2024)

 * Auntie Ama (Prod. by Woode)
 * Abonsam (Prod. by TwoBars)
 * Saman (Prod. by Woode)
 * Effiakuma Broken Heart (Prod. by Elorm Beatz)
 * I Don't Care (Prod. by TwoBars & Abochi)
 * Take Away (Prod. by TubhaniMuzik & Klassik Beatz)
 * Overthinking (Prod. by Abochi & Skonti)

Endorsements
Kofi Kinaata was made a brand ambassador of Good Day Energy Drink on Thursday, June 24, at Lesfam in Madina, Accra. In May 2021, he was unveiled together with Diana Hamilton as the Brand Ambassadors of Enterprise Life. He is also a Goodwill ambassador for UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM).