Rapper Kwaw Kesse left Accra last Thursday for the United States at the invitation of popular American-Haitian musician, Wyclef Jean, to finish off some work they initiated in Ghana late last year.
The two musicians met during the The Zain 026 Experience concert held at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium in Accra. They had already spoken on telephone before Wyclef’s arrival and though many other Ghanaian musicians wanted to do things with Wyclef, he opted to push on with Kesse. They eventually recorded a piece called War which was produced by Jay Soul.
Wyclef is well known in Ghana as a former member of the hip hop trio, Fugees. He went solo in 1997 and has sold millions of records around the world. Some of his best known songs are 911 with Mary J. Blige and Hips Don’t Lie with Shakira.
''The trip to America is basically to mix and master the song I did with Wyclef when he came to Ghana," Kesse said in an interview before his departure at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra. "I would also work on another song produced in Ghana by Hammer of The Last Two titled Kwan Ndamu."
According to Kesse, he communicated with Wyclef when he got back to the US after the Zain show. "Wyclef said War was very dear to his heart because of the theme. Though he sent some input down for Jay Soul to work with, he still insisted that I should be in America with all the data to boost the song in a studio of his choice" Kesse said.
Kesse said he would be in the US for two weeks and hopes to be in Accra on time to be part of activities to mark Independence Day on March 6. He also disclosed that scenes in the War video that involve Wyclef would be shot in the US. Other bits would be filmed in Ghana.
Kesse had started radio promotion of two songs on his up-coming album before he left for the US. They are Mene Wo Nne Asem produced by Richie and Give Thanks and Praise produced by Quick Action. The album is yet to be titled but he hopes to release it before the end of March.
Kesse is looking forward to Wyclef giving him a good rundown on the American music scene and introducing him to other American musicians during the trip.
"I made him feel at home and very happy when he came to Ghana and I know he would do same for me over there," he said.
