Introduction:
Born Michael Kwesi Asamoah better known as Shabani has a classic image reflection of Jamaican dancehall forwarder Popcaan but he’s identified with unique qualities of a consistent, congruously firm and all round Ghanaian entertainer, performer and music junky specialized more in reggae and dancehall.
Early Life:
He was born in Akan but raised in Ofinsu in the Ashanti region. His life comes in a form of an adventure book filled with mixed emotions, experiences, challenges and it’s fellow siblings. These cocktail of problems pushed him to resort to music, either than that he would have turned to some wild beast.
Music fueled and lighted up his hope at the time when all was lost. It gave him the chance to express how he felt about life, painted pictures of implications of not been uneducated plus other challenges that accompanies it.
Educational Background:
Due to reasons beyond his strength, he couldn’t further his education after completing Junior High School. The setbacks exposed him to one of biggest lessons in life, which is knowing how important education is and would urge every youth to take their education serious because it’s the key to open doors closed to the ignorant.
Music Career:
Themes to his songs mostly revolve around life in general, how he grew up from the slam, importance of education, life issues that affects the street energy of the youths negatively, patriotic influence, hustle hard and to believe in God in any situation.
Most people got to know about him through his biggest and breakthrough song – Raggamania. Reggae/Dancehall were at the forefront of his music career based on the elements that made the genre standout on it’s own to the extent of been world certified. These genres identified his authentic voice as an artist, shaped and groomed him lyrically, knowledge wise and exploring other avenues that comes with the craft.
But his passion towards music sparked him to create his own genre called “Good Music” to watercolor a trend pattern with a picture perfect style. Music to him has always been about passion and purpose. Ever since he came to terms with music, he has remained loyal to it more than anything else. Smartly enough, he has familiarised with the business features of the craft. As a creative with a defined mindset, he’s opened to trying hands on more other legit businesses on the side to keep things moving like a river.
He has carved a niche for himself in the music game with the following as key component; good music, good vibes, happy music and music for all. His loyalty and attitude towards music makes people with the same load of talent feel threatened and aspire to be copy his style.
While growing up as a child, someone he looked up to used to mention the name “Shabani” on a regular. The power and explosive sound that comes with the name forced him for look out for its meaning. Lo and behold, the name meant “GREATNESS”. The meaning of the name kept ringing a bell in his mind till he finally decided to use it as his stage name.
At this point in his fast growing career, he’s an independent artist under his own record label called Shabani Music Worldwide in collaboration with Vibes Bank Production. He’s focused on pushing his craft and brand to the apex of his game, attract meaningful distribution and management deal as well as competing on the international front.
On his music radar, he has worked with a catalogue of artists including Kofi Mole, Joe Deevans, Talaat Yarky, Mad Ras, Luther, Epixode, Simple Designer and a host of different artists. Together, he joined forces with them to produce timeless yet substantial music with all these talented acts. It was very interesting working with them he recalls.
As a subject of a music communicator, Shabani would love to work with all acts whose attitude towards work speaks volume than what they say. As far as they are genuinely going to connect on a lifetime music terms to yield buoyant results, he’s down for it.
Shabani has worked with some of the most exalted music producers in Ghana including Brainy beats, Fimfim, Ronny Turn Me On, Joe Deevans, Mips beats, etc. He’s also hopeful of working with Guilty Beats, Killbeatz, Dj Mustard, just to mention a few. Critical attention must to paid to him because he’s very discerning artist fortified with good music for the soul and mind.
Greatest Fear:
His greatest fear is the very day of thinking of being afraid and quitting music in an unpleasant situation.
Greatest Challenge:
Life itself to him is a great challenge.
Motivation:
God, life and experiences are his energy source of life that keeps him moving even if he’s not ready to move.
Upcoming Projects:
He has a series of forthcoming projects in conjunction with The Havana Showcase and Shabani Unplugged( Live band concert). Details of these events will be slated out when all is set and done.
Views About Ghana Music:
According to him the music industry is doing a good job with promoters stepping up their games moreover making shows available for upcoming acts like himself. In his opinion, its of great help and importance to him and other acts to have such platforms to preach their messages through music. Secondly, coming from Africa precisely Ghana, he’s very proud of most of the sounds we produce. He is optimistic Ghana music will sell at a very interesting pace. By doing the right things, our music will get us exposed and globally accepted.
Social Media Handles:
Instagram: shabanimusicworld
Facebook : $habani
Twitter : shabanimusic
SnapChat : shabanimusic
Written by: John Claude Tamakloe