NEO•GRIOT

Part comedian, part emcee,

wholly alternative.

Here comes

Kwabena Jones!

With so much music out there clamoring for your attention, you know it's a good sign when you listen to a new album and wonder, who is this? There’s a good chance you’ll ask the same when you listen to the witty, lyrical explosion of humour, education and reality that is Songsiwrotewheniwasthinkingthethingsiwasthinkingsoirecordedityeahmein! Huh? Yeah. That's what we thought too when we first saw the album title, but that was before we discovered that Kwabena Jones was part comedian, part emcee, part hiplife artist and 100% alter ego of Bosco, the Ghanaian rapper whose hilarious bow-tied, nerd glasses-wearing, prissy-voiced creation is a medium through which to channel his sarcastic and alternative brand of humour.

We had a lot of fun listening to this, and we think you will too. And with each track underpinned by rhythmic beats he'll probably also make you wanna get up and shake your booty. Speaking of which, did we mention that Kwabena Jones is also a fan of da booty? Let's waste no more time in introducing you to Kwabena Jones. And Bosco.

TIA: Who is Kwabena Jones and where is he from?

Bosco: Now, careful whom you ask for. Jones is the sarcastic alter ego of Bosco, so I think the best response is: Who is Bosco? Born Bonney Mankatah, raised mostly in Ghana and migrated to the USA. Kwabena Jones was originally a character from one of the funniest Ghanaian movies of all time, 'I Told You So'. It was a perfect fit for the act. Jones sounds like he does because he doesn't like how Bosco sounds, however he is the vessel that carries the idea, thus the dual personality.

 Ma bo dam

TIA: What was Bosco doing before he picked up a mic, and why did he pick up a mic?

Bosco: Before picking up a mic, I was doing a lot of producing, and I did this alongside my schooling and then alongside my full-time 9 - 5 job. I always wrote and gave my input to artists who worked in my studio. I would get in the booth every now and then, but just for one-offs or track segments. That was when I performed as Bosco. When I came up with Kwabena Jones, I began enjoying him as an artist. That's right, I am a fan myself. I hear him as someone else you know. From then the rest is "His" story.

TIA: Listening to the track 'The Boss', it sounds like Kwabena Jones and Bosco have an interesting power tussle going on. How would you describe their relationship?

Kwabena Jones/Bosco: Like that of the chicken and the egg, with an edge. Jones believes he’s the better half, while Bosco believes he is the creator. Who would you believe your brain, or your brain's brain...huh?

The Boss

TIA: Kwabena sounds like Bosco’s Id, saying things you’d hesitate to say as Bosco. Is there anything Kwabena Jones can’t say?

Bosco: Jones will say and do anything. To be honest most of the tracks were written that way. You've heard them; it’s way out there sometimes. I almost cannot control what I say or do when I'm in character.

TIA: You, Wanlov & M3NSA (the FOKN Bois) seem to be spearheading a fairly new genre of Ghanaian Hip-hop, one in which humour plays an important role. How would you place what you do in the context of contemporary urban music in Ghana?

Bosco: Probably as a sub-genre on its own, however under the same categories as Hiplife. But our audience tends to differ from the typical Hiplife audience; we are not always going for the usual dancefloor flavors, you know, we've got things to say. The humour part has quite a lot to do with the personalities involved, and over time has become one of the components our audience relates to and goes for.

Palmwine

TIA: How did you hook up with Wanlov and M3NSA, and what's it been like working with them?

Bosco: We all attended the same school, the great Adisadel College! M3nsa tapped into the industry at an earlier age, and as a schoolmate and close friend it was only a matter of time. We both wanted to share ideas and seized the moment as soon as the opportunity arose some years back. Wanlov on the other hand was making headlines in LA, and even more online, and just like all Kubolor fans I liked his energy, so I linked up, got the old school mate B.S. out of the way and played him some beats. We've worked together ever since. He made major appearances on the Pureafricanz Feel Ma Talent, a compilation I produced in 2005. I have to say that what you see out there in M3nsa and Wanlov is just the tip of the Obolobo (fat Lady); these are very inspirational, funny and talented personalities to say the least.

TIA: Ghana has always punched above its weight culturally, but appears to be doing so more now than ever. What's caused this renaissance and boost in optimism?

Bosco: The need to survive. And fortunately, we have come to the realization that our culture holds more value than we realised or appreciated. Thankfully, we are now taking advantage of this.

Afreakn Lovr (feat. Dee)

TIA: Kwabena Jones is, like Wanlov, a proud buttock watcher and a bit of a ladies man. What can a girl expect if she goes on a date with him?

Kwabena Jones: Hahahaha ...yes yes the buttocks yeah mein!! Prerequisites to all dates with Jones! A girl could expect the unexpected...in a good way. Nah, but seriously, a lady chilling with me would be herself all night even if they tried not to. Fun, laughter and the simple pleasure of good company usually does it.

Mem Peno

TIA: So what happened between 'My Girl', which is a love song, albeit an unconventional one, and 'Mem Peno'?

Kwabena Jones: You know... all my songs although jovial have personal embedded meaning. My Girl talks about how love and beauty is related to the beholder and how someone can be so special to you and you only...of course with the occasional exceptions of super hotties hahaha.

In contrast, Mem Pe No is about the level of dislike, hatred and so on that can be generated from a relationship on the downturn. It emphasizes the thin line between love and hate. Now, I've been in both places in my life and what do I do? I write funny songs about those emotions... that's Jones for you!

TIA: 'Songsiwrotewheniwasthinkingthethingsiwasthinkingsoirecordedityeahmein!' Hasn’t been out long, how has it been received so far in Ghana and the States?

Bosco: The album has received very warm and encouraging reviews... the airplay is generously consistent in Ghana. I can't speak for these American DJs though. The buzz online seems to be the most promising however.

TIA: Is there any difference in the way American and Ghanaian audiences respond to you?

Bosco: The difference is not that significant. Ghanaian audiences relate better to the content because they know the stories firsthand, get the sarcasm, inside jokes what have you, whereas in the US the genre falls into the comedic rap category, and I get more feedback on the entire act than the music... if that makes sense.

TIA: 'No More Drama' is the most overtly political song on the album. What inspired that?

Bosco: This song was written during the period of 911-Bin Laden-Saddam-Bush-Ghana cocaine stories and all the other craziness this past decade brought us. There was nothing to talk about then but that. My fans enjoyed the interactive delivery during shows mainly because it brought to light serious issues wrapped up in humour.

No More Drama

TIA: Humour does run through the album, but it's clear you've got a serious purpose. If there's one thing you'd like your music to make people do, what would it be?

Bosco: LAUGH! Aside from that, I’d like my music to continuously take my fans on a journey, you know, enjoy the storylines but every so often have a moment like, What?! What did he just say?! I know this is more than one thing, but I'd like my fans to get some substance from my music.

TIA: Some of these tracks cry out for videos. Any we can expect soon?

Bosco: You are right. I'm currently shooting Ma Bo Dam (I'm Crazy), directed by Rebekah Frimpong, editing Maa Te Derr (I heard That...) directed by Se7en Xavier, and I'm looking to shoot one for The Boss and Bread and Butter.

TIA: That's a lot! Sweet! Without giving away all the surprises, tell us something to stoke our excitement for the first two coming our way. And when will they drop?

Bosco: Ma Bo Dam drops in a couple of weeks. It was shot in NY and is, as the song goes, crazy. Rebecca is a workaholic and I think she did a good job on this one; the fans will love it.

I’m editing Ma Te Derr myself, but as the world’s greatest procrastinator I cannot promise any dates. I can however share that we poke fun at quite a few "important" people.

 People, check this piece again in a couple of weeks for the 'Ma Bo Dam' video.

Songsiwrotewheniwasthinkingthethingsiwasthinkingsoirecordedityeahmein! is now in digital stores (iTunes; Amazon; CDBaby). Grab it, folks.