Darkuman Shaped My Sound – Kojo Antwi

Veteran Ghanaian musician Kojo Antwi has revealed how his upbringing in Darkuman played a defining role in shaping his musical style, describing the neighbourhood as a “blessing” that exposed him to a rich mix of sounds, cultures and life experiences.

Speaking in an interview, the highlife legend, affectionately known as Mr Music Man, said his childhood environment provided daily inspiration that later found expression in his music. He recalled that his father operated a shop located directly in front of a busy trotro station, with a bustling market behind it.

“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,” Kojo Antwi said.

He described the constant movement, noise and human interaction at the station and market as fascinating, noting that those everyday scenes trained him to observe life closely, an ability that later influenced his songwriting.

Kojo Antwi also portrayed Darkuman as a multicultural hub where people from different ethnic and national backgrounds coexisted, bringing with them a variety of musical expressions.

“There were different cultures, and the music I was hearing all around was diverse. You could hear different gospel music, the Ewes drumming at weddings, and so on. Not everyone in Darkuman got the chance to experience all that, but I had it all,” he said.

According to the veteran musician, those early exposures became the foundation of his sound. “When I was making my music, I tapped into all those rhythms and drew from all the vibes these people were giving me,” he added.

Beyond music, Kojo Antwi also touched on how both joyful and painful childhood experiences shaped his creative outlook, helping him connect emotionally with audiences over the decades.

After years of reflection and preparation, the musician is now set to share his story with the public through an autobiographical book titled “From Bands to Ballads to Brilliance: Mr Music Man, The Journey.” The book traces his personal life alongside the evolution of Ghanaian music.

The official launch is scheduled for February 13, 2026, at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra.