Many creatives draw inspiration from their surroundings, the sights, sounds and experiences of the neighborhoods they grow up in.
According to veteran musician Kojo Antwi, who was raised in Darkuman, the neighbourhood proved to be an influence on his music.
Speaking on TV3, Kojo Antwi recalled that his father ran a shop in front of a public bus station in Darkuman, with a bustling market at the back. He said the noise and activity of the market and ‘trotro’ station was a source of fascination for him.
How a painful childhood experience shaped Kojo Antwi’s music
“Darkuman was such a blessing to me because my dad had a shop in front of the trotro station, and there was a market at the back. Being at the shop meant that I could see all the activities that went on at Darkuman, like a reality show. I was there observing everything that was happening,” he said.
The veteran singer described Darkuman as a multicultural hub where diverse sounds and rhythms filled the streets.
According to Kojo Antwi, growing up, he was surrounded by various ethnic groups and foreign nationals, contributing to a mix of music he heard, ranging from different Gospel tunes to Ewe drumming at weddings.
These experiences, he noted, left an imprint on his musical style when he began his music career decades ago.
“There were different cultures, and the music I was hearing all around was diverse, you could hear different gospel, the Ewes drumming at weddings, and so on. Not everyone in Darkuman got the chance to experience all that, but I had it all. So, when I was making my music, I tapped into all those rhythms and drew from all the vibes these people were giving me,” Kojo Antwi added.
After decades of preparation, the legend affectionately called as Mr Music Man, is set to release a book for the public.
The book is an autobiographical work titled “From Bands to Ballads to Brilliance: Mr. Music Man, The Journey,” which blends his history with the evolution of Ghanaian music.
The book launch is scheduled for February 13, 2026, at the Labadi Beach Hotel.
“Darkuman was such a blessing to me. The activities and rhythms around where I lived shaped the kind of music I make today.” – @kojoantwimusic #TV3NewDay #TV3GH pic.twitter.com/BJhvhrQQmU
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) February 6, 2026
AK/AM
