One of the top UK afrofusion stars K.O.G returns to Brudenell Social Club on November 29th launching his new album for Paris based label Heavenly Sweetness Records. The long awaited follow up to his critically acclaimed 2022 release "Zone 6 Agege" will continue K.O.G's unique fusion of popular African music (Ghanaian highlife, Nigerian afrobeat), with UK club sounds of hip-hop, dancehall and house music. Check out the album's first taster single "Live For Today" (May 2024) that blends afrobeat. hip-hop and dub into a typical K.O.G dance floor winner. The album is out on September 13th with a full UK promo tour happening in November.
Kweku Sackey aka K.O.G (Kweku of Ghana) is a multi-dimensional creative force, combining exquisite writing skills with shamanistic live performance, fierce raps, perfectly on pitch singing across a massive vocal range and some absolutely wicked dance moves. Not to mention his skills as a percussionist, arranger, bandleader and art director. A true poet and storyteller, he uses a mix of English, Pidgin and Ga to paint sonic pictures that reach deep into the souls of everyone ready to listen.
Born in Accra, Ghana, to a nurse mother and marine engineer father who had studied in England, he grew up with a diverse range of international influences alongside Ghanaian styles: Tom Waits, Quincy Jones, Bob Marley, Sizzla, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Ebo Taylor, Gyedu Blay Ambolley, Atongo Simba, George Clinton, Pavarotti, Warsaw Village Band.
Resident for over 15 years in Sheffield, UK, music has taken him to perform on huge stages all over the world, from Glastonbury’s legendary West Holts stage to Fusion (Germany), Sauti Za Busara (Zanzibar), Kabardock (Reunion) and the Commonwealth Games (Gold Cost, Australia), winning the 2018 Young Commonwealth Performer and performing for Nelson Mandela’s family.
A prolific writer and collaborator, he needs a range of projects to showcase the different sides of his unique talent. He is the lead vocalist for afro-futurist project ONIPA (Strut Records), and leads his hi-life/hip-hop/afrofunk band K.O.G (Heavenly Sweetness), as well as collaborating extensively with UK world jazz stars Nubiyan Twist. His song ‘If I know’ off the "Freedom Fables" album (Strut Records 2021) was performed live on "Later with Jools Holland" and A playlisted on BBC 6 Music.
“Ghana’s finest” – Jools Holland, Later with Jools Holland, BBC2, March 2021
Kweku is deeply aware of his heritage and of his role as an ambassador both through space and time, negotiating culturally both between African and Western influences and between the traditional and the modern: always open to new innovations and ideas while firmly rooted in a deep lineage. This openness has informed recent collaborations with a wide wide range of producers and writers, including Léon Phal, Jembaa Groove, Zed Bias, iZem, Afriquoi, Congo Natty, Scrimshire, Dark Sky, Dizraeli, Chiminyo, Umoja and many more in the pipeline. Third album on French label Heavenly Sweetness, produced by master French producer Guts (Alliance Ethnik) and longtime friend and collaborator Tom Excell (Nubiyan Twist, Onipa), will drop September 2024.
Here's a few quotes from the man himself about his music and vision :
“I view MUSIC as a major WEAPON in the BATTLEFIELD for PEACE of MIND in the world"
“I love to make music that CONNECTS, REVIVES , EDUCATES and ENTERTAINS, drawing on the spiritual, physical, emotional and mental well being of us as individuals and our quest to maintain balance with the universe”
It's Kweku's first show at Brudenell since last autumn's ONIPA gig, and the first K.O.G show at the venue since spring 2022! If you've seen him perform before, either at a festival or a venue, you know that it's one of the best live music experiences you'll ever witness. If you've never seen him live with his band, come and find out what all the fuss is about. Make sure to get your tickets upfront as K.O.G shows at the venue always sell out.
Support comes from Leeds afrofusion/afro-psyche band Kontiki. They've built up a solid loyal following in Leeds/Bradford/West Yorkshire over the last 5 years with a series of singles releases, a debut EP and their debut album in autumn 2023. Their live gigs are always firing so get down early to catch them warming up the room for K.O.G.
