Definitions go a long way at giving people overview ideas about other people and phenomenons, and the world defines Canada to be the most racially diverse country in the world.
Perhaps, because of her openness to international students and migration, Canada is home to a good number of people from different races across the world, and Africans from Ghana are not left out.
Today being Ghana’s Independence day, we thought to bring you a list of some Ghanaian musicians who are based in Canada and make Afro-centric music, even while away from the shores of the motherland.
Yaa Yaa
Yaa Yaa is a hero, and vocals are her superpower. With voice as seamless as milk, and an identity that reeks of her African roots, the international student in the University of Waterloo moved to Canada for study but is still very much in touch with her Ghanaian heritage. Her latest music is titled “Forever”.
Kwame Vista
Like guns to a soldier for war, Afrobeats is to Kwame for a career. Although based in Canada but out of Ghana, Kwame won’t stop repping African music, his dialect and the beauty of the black race.
Friyie
If there’s one thing Friyie knows how to do for sure, it’s definitely how to be a superstar and be unapologetic about it. His “Never 2 Late” EP has been doing incredible numbers and he literally is a black star; out of Ghana to the world.
Kae Sun
Kae Sun doubles as a writer to tell stories about his everyday experiences and things that inspire him. His music could be termed pop, R&B, soul or alternative. Real name Kwaku Darko-Mensah Jnr, he was born in Accra and has been actively making music since 2006.
Pauli B
She was born to Nigerian and Ghanaian parents, but lives in Canada. Her music has elements of all three cultures as afro-fusion, pop, and dancehall are quite prominent in how she sounds. Her “Sugar Rush” from 2017 featured Lil Kesh who was the buzz of that moment.
JMG Kofi
His “Do Not Disturb” freestyle got Drake’s attention right before he released his debut EP in 2020, and since then, music producer/artiste JMG has remained relevant to culture.
Karoli Naa
Montreal regards Karoli Naa to be gold, and it’s courtesy her one-of-a-kind vocals. Real names Carolina Naa Adjorkor Kwaofio, she moved from Ghana to Canada in 1994 and has since established herself as a prominent rapper in the space.
L Bena
L Bena finds a way to mix highlife and afrobeat in a way that would please even Gen Z ears. L Bena is strategic with a style you cannot ignore. He likes to describe himself as “Canada-made but Ghana-born.”
This is in solidarity to Ghana’s independence and a celebration of her creative people in Canada.
Itty can be caught studying African pop culture, writing about it or hosting a relationship podcast. When he's not doing any of these, then he's definitely at a bar, getting mocktail.
