Blakk Rasta
Blakk Rasta | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Blakk Rasta |
| Born | Abubakar Ahmed 2 September 1974 |
| Genres | Reggae, Kuchoko |
| Occupations | Musician, radio presenter |
| Years active | 1999–present |
Blakk Rasta (born Abubakar Ahmed, 2 September 1974) is a Ghanaian reggae and Kuchoko musician, dub poet, and radio presenter.He is known for developing a fusion style he calls Kuchoko, which blends reggae with indigenous African musical instruments .[1][2] He currently hosts programs on Accra-based 3FM under Media General.[3]
He gained national attention with the 2008 single "Barack Obama", released during Barack Obama's U.S. presidential campaign.[4]
Early life and education
Blakk Rasta was born Abubakar Ahmed on 2 September 1974 in Tamale, in the Northern Region of Ghana, to Muslim parents. He attended the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Land Economy.[5][6] He later pursued postgraduate studies, including an MSc in Oil and Gas Management at the University of Coventry in the United Kingdom.[7]
Career
Blakk Rasta began his professional music career in the early 2000s. He worked as a reggae DJ and hosted several radio shows, including the mid-morning program Taxi Driver on Hitz 103.9 FM.[8]
In 2008, he attracted international attention with the single "Barack Obama", released during Barack Obama’s U.S. presidential campaign.[9][10]
He later joined Zylofon FM in 2017, where he hosted the same program until 2021.[11] After leaving Zylofon FM, he continued broadcasting on Class FM and on his YouTube platform, Blakk Media Empire.[12][13]
In 2025, he revived his community initiative Kuchoko in the Ghetto, organizing street activations in Nima and Fadama to promote social responsibility through music and live performances.[14] Blakk Rasta continues to appear in national media discourse, including commentary on cultural and political issues.[15]
Musical style
Blakk Rasta's musical style, Kuchoko, is a fusion of reggae rhythms with indigenous African sounds, incorporating instruments such as the xylophone, talking drum, kologo, kora, flutes, and various percussive elements.[16]
Inspiration
He has cited Jamaican dub poets Mutabaruka, DYCR, and Linton Kwesi Johnson as key influences on his writing and performance.[17]
Public commentary and controversies
In 2015, Blakk Rasta appeared before the Privileges Committee of the Parliament of Ghana to apologise for remarks made on his radio programme suggesting that a large number of Members of Parliament smoked cannabis. He later described the comments as unfortunate and issued an unreserved apology to Parliament.[18][19]
In 2025, he was involved in a widely reported dispute with journalist Oheneba Boamah, during which he criticised Boamah's commentary and questioned journalistic ethics, sparking broader discussions in the media about professionalism[20]
In 2021, he spoke publicly about tensions with dancehall artist Shatta Wale, stating that he deliberately limited airplay of Wale's music due to creative disagreements.[21] Media reports also indicated that Shatta Wale lodged a complaint with police over comments attributed to Blakk Rasta, though outcomes of the matter were not independently confirmed.[22]
In 2023 and 2024, Blakk Rasta publicly criticised rapper Sarkodie over lyrics he considered disrespectful toward women, calling for temporary bans on such music and the withdrawal of ambassadorial roles.[23][24]
In 2024, he questioned the Ghana Police Service’s decision to publicly burn seized narcotics at Osu Beach, arguing that the method posed environmental and public health concerns.[25][26]
In late 2024, Blakk Rasta stated that he received threats following a politically charged performance at Nkrumah Fest.[27]
Honors and awards
- 2011 – Voted Radio Reggae Show Host of the Year at the Ghana Radio and TV Awards (RTP Awards).[28]
- 2013 – Nominated for seven BASS Awards, including works featuring Jah Amber.[29]
Selected Discography
Singles
- "Barack Obama"[30]
- "Mallam Tonga"[31]
- "Bloody Museveni" (featuring Bobi Wine)[32]
- "Piano Logoligi"[33]
Albums
References
- ^ "Blakk Rasta set for Kuchoko Roots Festival on March 8". Graphic Online. 7 March 2025. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
- ^ "Album Review: Kuchoko Revolution". GhanaWeb. 2017.
- ^ "3FM 92.7 – Media General". 3News.
- ^ "Blakk Rasta's Obama Theme Song in Ghana". HuffPost. 2009.
- ^ "Up close with Blakk Rasta: A fusion of fashion, music and culture". Graphic Online.
- ^ "Blakk Rasta, Biography". GhanaWebbers.
- ^ "Up close with Blakk Rasta: A fusion of fashion, music and culture". Graphic Online.
- ^ "Blakk Rasta leaves Hitz FM - MyJoyOnline". Retrieved 16 December 2025.
- ^ "Blakk Rasta meets Obama, again, on the BBC - MyJoyOnline". Retrieved 16 December 2025.
- ^ "Obama wanted me to be a US citizen, but I said no - Blakk Rasta". 9 June 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
- ^ "Blakk Rasta leaving Zylofon after 4 years". GhanaWeekend. 29 December 2021.
- ^ wontumionline (10 October 2022). "Blakk Rasta Leaves His 'Biggest Pay Cheque' Job At Class FM To Join Media General". Wontumi Online. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
- ^ "Blakk Rasta leaves Class FM after 4 months; going to TV3 - Ghana Weekend". 10 October 2022. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
- ^ "Blakk Rasta revives 'Kuchoko in the Ghetto' with vibrant street activations in Nima, Fadama". ModernGhana. November 2025.
- ^ "You are a huge disgrace to journalism – Blakk Rasta slams Oheneba Boamah". GhanaWeb. 2025.
- ^ "Music Review: Blakk Rasta's Kuchoko Revolution". ModernGhana.
- ^ "Blakk Rasta (Ghana) – Music Time in Africa". Voice of America. 13 October 2019.
- ^ "Blakk Rasta faces Parliament today - MyJoyOnline". Retrieved 16 December 2025.
- ^ "Blakk Rasta apologises to Parliament". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
- ^ "'You are a huge disgrace to journalism' – Blakk Rasta slams Oheneba Boamah as 'Judas of Radio'".
- ^ "I never gave Shatta Wale the chance because all his songs are noisy - Blakk Rasta". Pulse Ghana.
- ^ Brooklyn, Armani (23 November 2021). "Shatta Wale reports Blakk Rasta to the police". GhPage. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
- ^ "Celebrities who have called out Blakk Rasta over his comments on 'Stir It Up' featuring Sarkodie". GhanaWeb. 5 February 2023. Archived from the original on 19 December 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
- ^ "'Sarkodie hasn't seen growth in his career because he collaborated with Bob Marley' — Blakk Rasta". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
- ^ "Blakk Rasta Criticizes Authorities for Burning Confiscated Narcotics at Beach | News Ghana". www.newsghana.com.gh/. 10 August 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
- ^ "Why burn seized cannabis openly at Osu beach when Ghana can sell it in legalized markets - Blakk Rasta". Graphic Online. 9 August 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
- ^ "Why burn seized cannabis openly at Osu beach when Ghana can sell it in legalized markets - Blakk Rasta". Graphic Online.
- ^ "Sefa Kayi Rules The Airwaves at RTP Awards". GhanaWeb. 27 June 2011.
- ^ "Blakk Rasta grateful for his 7 BASS Awards nominations". Ghanamotion. 13 June 2013.
- ^ "Blakk Rasta's Obama Theme Song". HuffPost. 12 August 2009.
- ^ "Blakk Rasta Drops Monster Banger 'Mallam Tonga'". ModernGhana.
- ^ "Blakk Rasta features Bobi Wine". GhanaWeb. 2 February 2021.
- ^ "Blakk Rasta drops Piano Logoligi". MyJoyOnline. 18 October 2021.
- ^ "Music Review: Blakk Rasta's Kuchoko Revolution". ModernGhana.
- ^ "Blakk Rasta launches Timbuktu by Road". GhanaWeb. 6 November 2019.
- ^ "Blakk Rasta – Salaga Soljah".