Shatta Rako
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Shatta Rako | |
|---|---|
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Rexford Kojo Amoah |
| Also known as | Shatta Rako - Kojo Legend- original Shatta Rako |
| Born | 12 November 1979 |
| Genres | Reggae. Dancehall. Afrobeats |
| Occupation | Musician / Graphic Designer |
| Years active | 2005 - Present |
| Labels | Rudebouy Records / TalentOverHype Music Group |
Shatta Rako is a Ghanaian dance hall and afrobeats musician, graphic designer and the CEO of Legend Studios.[1][2]
Rako won the Songwriter of the Year[3] at the 2016 BASS Awards.[4][5]
Early life and education
[edit]Rexford Kojo Amoah was born on 12 November 1979 in Agona Mankrong, a village in the Central Region of Ghana to Mr Justice Charles Amoah and Ms Mercy Mensah.[6]
He started his basic education at CRIG Primary School and attended Junior High School at CRIG JSS, both in New Tafo, in the Eastern Region of Ghana. He then Perused a Visual Art course at Adisadel College, Cape Coast – Ghana.[7] In Adisadel College he joined the School Choir and was an active member until he left the school in 1997.
Personal life
[edit]He gained admission to the College of Art faculty of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, in 1999 where he continued his love for music and entertainment by working as a radio show host and DJ on Contatto radio amongst presenters like Blakk Rasta, and Norcus.
He moved to London in 2003 where he continued his radio and music business as a stuff team player of Rainbow Radio alongside his work as a professional Graphic Designer.
He originated his stage name from the Jamaican name, Shotta and made it into his own "Shatta".[8]
Shatta Rako is married to Naa Adukwei.[9]
Music career
[edit]Shatta Rako's music career began to take shape after his return from the United Kingdom in 2005. He released his debut single, NFONI,[10] which gained attention and became popular in the Reggae/Dancehall genre. At the time, few artists in Ghana were actively pursuing Reggae/Dancehall, making Shatta Rako one of the few prominent figures in the genre alongside others such as General Marcus, Mr. Root Eye, Yoggi Doggy, Sonni Balli, and Scooby Selah.[10]
Known for his vocal range and adaptability to different musical styles, Shatta Rako collaborated with several prominent Ghanaian artists, including Jewel Ackah, Kofi B, Daasebre Dwamena, Pat Thomas, Kwame Adinkra, Kofi Nti, and Mr. Root Eye.[10] His ability to blend reggae and dancehall with local music influences contributed to his recognition within the Ghanaian music industry.
He is known for singles such as TekOver, MakeMoney, Roll Call, Too Late, and State of Emergency. His song State of Emergency earned him the Songwriter of the Year award at the 2016 BASS Awards.[11]
Mentorship and influence
[edit]Throughout his career, Shatta Rako has worked with and mentored several emerging artists. Among those he has influenced is Nigerian musician and entrepreneur Oluwatosin Ajibade, known professionally as Mr. Eazi. Mr. Eazi has publicly acknowledged Shatta Rako's role in his development as an artist, referring to him as a "legend."
In addition to his music career, Shatta Rako is a professional graphic designer. He is the founder and CEO of Legend Studios and Creative Home, companies specializing in graphic design and multimedia production.
Discography
[edit]| Albums | Years |
|---|---|
| Nfoni | 2005 |
| Redefined | 2008 |
| Klassic Remixes | 2013 |
| Preface | 2016 |
Singles
[edit]| Single | Date of publishing | Producer |
|---|---|---|
| Sete – Dancehall | 2011 | Kofi Ackah |
| Good Gurl Gone Bad | 2011 | Kofi Ackah |
| Agoro ft. Kapusta/Breden | 2011 | Kofi Ackah |
| Shame of the Game | 2012 | Kofi Ackah |
| Odo Ho Akyere no | 2012 | Collins Tee |
| Luv How Mi Dweet | 2013 | Kofi Ackah |
| Rudebouy Luv | 15 July 2014 | Riddim Boss |
| Gud4Evil | 14 September 2014 | Nature |
| Animal Farm | 9 December 2016 | Riddim Boss |
| Gyal ina mi DP | 2014 | Riddim Boss |
| Cry No More | 2014 | |
| Real Ting | 9 January 2015 | Killbeats |
| Cold War | 14 February 2015 | Riddim Boss |
| Keep it Simple | 4 May 2015 | Cabum |
| State of Emergency | 8 June 2015 | Riddim Boss |
| State of Emergency (Remix) | 21 July 2015 | Riddim Boss |
| TekOver Makemoney | 21 September 2015 | Cabum |
| Dutty Mind | 10 August 2015 | |
| Gyallis | 12 November 2015 | Peweezel |
| Never Say Never | 15 December 2015 | 1Kwame |
| Bitter Truth | 2 March 2016 | Riddim Boss |
| Twerk | 30 March 2016 | |
| One Day | 8 June 2016 | 1Kwame |
| Clean Da Dance | 8 August 2016 | Riddim Boss |
| Mede3 | 28 November 2016 | |
| Fake Nigga Tricks | 1 January 2017 | 1Kwame |
| Party Anthem | 21 July 2017 | Peweezel |
| Likkle Chat | 8 January 2018 | 1Kwame |
| Mic Check | 13 April 2018 | |
| TekOver, Makemoney Remix Feat. David Lutalo | 21 May 2018 | |
| Talk2dem | 18 December 2018 | Chensee |
| We Dey Bet | 24 June 2019 | 1Kwame |
| Best Friend (Feat. Kwame Adinkra) | Collins Tee | |
| Dem Nuh Thug | 7 April 2020 | Riddim Boss |
| Tattoo | 23 April 2020 | Riddim Boss |
| Too Late | 12 November 2020 | Kaysam Teknik |
| Mama II | 9 May 2021 | Kaysam Teknik |
| Madman | 4 June 2021 | 1Kwame |
| Focus | 9 July 2021 | Nature |
| God4Bid | October 2021 | |
| Heaven No Beer | October 2021 | Shatta Rako |
| Will Be There | 12 November 2021 | Riddim Boss |
| Dying to Survive | 29 January 2022 | Shatta Rako |
References
[edit]- ^ "Can Shatta Rako save the dying face of Kumasi music?". www.ghanaweb.com. 28 February 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
- ^ "Shatta Rako grabs four nominations at BASS Awards". www.ghanaweb.com. 7 December 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
- ^ Donkoh, Ebenezer (6 December 2015). "Shatta Rako Grabs FOUR Nominations at BASS Awards | Full List of Nominees". NY DJ Live. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
- ^ "Shatta Rako Nominated For BASS Awards 2013". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
- ^ Donkoh, Ebenezer (6 December 2016). "Shatta Rako Grabs Record of the Year & Songwriter of the Year Nominations at 2016 BASS Awards". NYDJ Live. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
- ^ Agbaglo, Ebenezer (4 November 2024). "Solidarity Building in Antagonistic Political Discourse on GhanaWeb". Emerging Media. doi:10.1177/27523543241294086. ISSN 2752-3543.
- ^ Agbaglo, Ebenezer (4 November 2024). "Solidarity Building in Antagonistic Political Discourse on GhanaWeb". Emerging Media. doi:10.1177/27523543241294086. ISSN 2752-3543.
- ^ Jay-Kanz, Jullie (23 May 2015). "Shatta Rako; "I am the originator of the name Shatta" in Ghana". mordernghana.com. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
- ^ "Exclusive: Shatta Rako weds longtime girlfriend Naa Adukwei". Live 91.9 FM. 2 September 2016. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
- ^ a b c "Read more on Shatta Rako". newsghana.com.gh. 18 September 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
- ^ Agbaglo, Ebenezer (4 November 2024). "Solidarity Building in Antagonistic Political Discourse on GhanaWeb". Emerging Media. doi:10.1177/27523543241294086. ISSN 2752-3543.
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