KiDi

KiDi
KiDi at 3 Music Awards
Background information
Also known asSugar Daddy, Golden Boy, and Gyal dem Sugar
Born
Dennis Nana Dwamena

(1993-08-18) 18 August 1993
Accra, Ghana
GenresAfrobeats, Afro pop, highlife
OccupationsSinger, songwriter, producer
InstrumentsPiano, guitar
Years active2016–present
LabelLynx Entertainment Empire Distribution
WebsiteLynx Entertainment Website (Official)

KiDi (born 18 August 1993), known in real life as Dennis Nana Kwaku Boadi Dwamena. He was born to Gerald Dwamena who was a chemical engineer who died in 2001 and reportedly his mother's name is Beatrice Thompson. His Father was from Abetifi Kwahu, and his mother is from Teshie-Nungua, Kidi is both a Kwahu and Ga. Out of his mother's children he is the eldest with younger brothers called Philip Dwamena and, Elliot Dwamena but out of his Father's children he is not the first. Some of his older siblings from his father's side are his older sister Esther Dwamena and older brother Elvis Anim Dwamena, but there are more. KiDi grew up in several Ga towns, but his hometown where he grew up as a kid is the town of Teshie-Nungua.

Early beginnings and breakthrough

While studying Economics and Information Studies at the University of Ghana, KiDi's love for music led him to perform on Moonlight Café – a music production that supports upcoming artists and gives them a platform to display their talents on University Campuses in Ghana. He also recorded covers of popular songs.

In 2015, KiDi joined the MTN Hitmaker competition.[1] He went on to win the competition and was later signed to Lynx Entertainment.[2] KiDi shot to prominence in 2017 when he released "Say You Love Me" a song he not only composed but also arranged and produced. KiDi established himself as one of the fastest-rising stars in Ghana when he released yet another chart-topper titled "Odo" in July 2017, the remix with Nigerian artist Davido and Mayorkun in December 2017, and Adiepena in April 2018.[3]

Artistry

KiDi has mounted several stages including 2017 Rapperholic Concert,[4] Ghana Music Honors 2017 Edition, December to Remember 2017,[5] S Concert 2017,[6] the 61st Ghana Independence Celebration Show in March 2018 at the Indigo 02 in London.[7] He has performed on the same stage as many award-winning African artists including Sarkodie, Samini, Shatta Wale, MzVee, WizKid, Tiwa Savage, Efya, and Patoranking.KiDi has also produced several tracks for other artists and co-produced with award-winning Ghanaian producer, Richie Mensah. He has also written for Ghanaian acts including the award-winning MzVee and Adina and has collaborated with artists such as Tic tac, Ko-Jo Cue, Magnom and Kwesi Arthur. KiDi received 6 nominations[8] at the 2018 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards including ‘Best New Artiste’, ‘Afro-pop Song of the Year’ and ‘Male Vocalist of the Year’ and went on to win the award for ‘High-life Song of the Year’ at the awards[9] in April 2018. He was crowned as the Artiste of the 5th Edition of the 3Music award[10][11][12][13] and TGMA 2022.[14][15][16][17] KiDi currently has 2 studio albums and 2 EP. His debut album, Sugar was released on 31 May 2019.[18] He also released a movie the same year with the album name (Sugar) in Accra, Kumasi, and the UK.

KiDi released the Blue EP in 2020[19] as a build-up to the release of his second studio album, The Golden Boy. The Blue EP featured tracks such as "End in Tears", "Say Cheese" and One Man which featured Adina.[20]

In 2021, KiDi released his second studio album, The Golden Boy which won the "Album of the Year Award" at the 2021 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards.[21] It included hits like "Mon Bebe", "Cyclone" and Touch It, which broke the record for the most streamed Ghanaian song on Spotify.[22]

Personal life

Education

He attended St. Anthony's School in Accra for his primary education, where he excelled academically. He then continued his secondary education at Accra Academy. After completing high school, Dennis was accepted into the University of Ghana, Legon, to pursue a degree in Economics and Information Studies. In 2016, the singer graduated.[23]

KiDi is from Kwahu Abetifi.

KiDi has a son called Zane.[24]

Awards and nominations

Year Organization Award Work Result Ref.
2017 4syte Music Video Awards Best Discovery Video Ɔdɔ Nominated [25]
2018 Ghana Music Awards Highlife Song of the Year Won [9]
Afropop Song of the Year Say You Love Me Nominated [8]
Highlife Artiste of the Year Himself Nominated
Best Male Vocalist Ɔdɔ Nominated
Best New Artiste Himself Nominated
Song of the Year Ɔdɔ Nominated
Ghana Music Awards (UK) Artist of the Year Himself Nominated [26]
Highlife Artist of the Year Nominated
Best Male Vocalist Ɔdɔ Nominated
Highlife Song of the Year Himself Nominated
Best New Artist of the Year Nominated
3Music Awards Male Act of the Year Nominated [27]
Breakout Act of the Year Nominated
Song of the Year Ɔdɔ Nominated
Most eventful Snapchat channel Himself Won
AFRIMA Best Artiste Duo or Group in Africa Contemporary Won [28]
2019 Ghana Music Awards Highlife Artist of the Year Nominated [29]
Best Male Vocalist Won [30]
Song of the Year Thunder Nominated [29]
Highlife Song of the Year Nominated
3Music Awards Best Male Vocal Performance Fakyɛ Me (meaning-Forgive Me) Won [31]
3Music Awards (UK) Highlife Act of the Year Himself Nominated
Album Sugar Nominated
4syte TV Music Video Awards Best Edited Video Cinderella Nominated [32]
Best Male Adiepɛna Nominated
Best Highlife Nominated
Best Collaboration Mr. Badman Nominated
2020 Ghana Music Awards Highlife Artist of the Year Himself Nominated [33]
Afrobeats Song of the Year Mr Badman Nominated
Male Vocalist of the Year Himself Nominated
Best Collaboration of the Year Ɔhemaa (with Kuami Eugene) Nominated
Best Collaboration of the Year Mr Badman (ft Kwesi Arthur) Nominated
Album of the Year Sugar Won
International Collaboration of the Year Cinderella (ft Mayorkun & Peruzzi) Nominated
International Collaboration of the Year Sugar Daddy (ft Mr Eazi) Nominated
Most Popular Song of the Year Mr Badman Nominated
2021 3Music Awards Artist of the Year Himself Won [34]
EP of the Year BLUE Won
Song of the Year Enjoyment Won
Afro Beat Song of the Year Enjoyment Won
Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Artiste of the Year Himself Nominated [35]
Afrobeat/Afropop Song of the Year "Say Cheese" Won [36]
Most Popular Song of the Year "Say Cheese" Nominated [37]
Most Popular Song of the Year "Enjoyment" Nominated [37]
Afrobeat/Afropop Artist of the Year Himself Won [36]
EP of the Year "Blue" Won [36]
Collaboration of the Year "One Man" (ft Adina) Nominated [37]
Best Male Vocal Performance Himself Nominated [37]
Best Highlife Song "Enjoyment" Won [36]
2022 The Headies Awards Best West African Artiste of the Year KiDi Nominated [38]
Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Artiste of the Year Himself Won [39]
Album of the Year The Golden Boy Won [40]
Video of the Year Mon Bebe Won
Afrobeats/AfroPop Artiste Himself Won
Best Reggae/Dancehall Song of the Year Touch It Won
Most Popular Song of the Year Touch It Won
International Collaboration of the Year Spiritual ft. Kuami Eugene, Patoranking Nominated
Best Male Vocal Performance Bad Things Nominated
Best Afrobeats Song Mon Bebe Nominated
2024 Collaboration of the year "Liquor" – KiDi ft. Stonebwoy Won
3Music Awards Afrobeats/Afro Pop Song of the Year "Likor" Nominated [41]
Best Collaboration of the Year Won
Song of the Year Nominated
Afrobeats/Afro Pop Act of the Year Himself Nominated
Best Male Vocal Performance "I Lied" Won
Ghana Music Awards UK Most Popular Song of the Year "Likor" Nominated [42]
Best Collaboration of the Year Won
"Bambalika" Nominated
Male Vocalist of the Year "I Lied" Nominated
Best Afropop Song of the Year Nominated
Best Afrobeats Song of the Year "Likor" Nominated

References

  1. ^ "KiDi wins 2015 MTN Hitmaker Reality Show". Ghana Web. 1 October 2015.
  2. ^ "Lynx Entertainment signs KiDi". Kuulpeeps.
  3. ^ "KiDi takes Africa by storm with Odo remix feat Davido, Mayorkun". GhanaWeb. 11 October 2017.
  4. ^ "Star-studded performances at Sarkodie's Rapperholic Concert 2017". GhanaWeb. 26 December 2017.
  5. ^ "Citi FM Rocks Accra Tonight with Official Christmas Party". citifmonline. 24 December 2017. Archived from the original on 27 September 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  6. ^ "Shatta Wale, Stonebwoy, Samini for S Concert 2017". GhanaWeb. 3 November 2017.
  7. ^ "KiDi, Kuami Eugene and King Promise headline Ghana @ 61 Concert in UK". citifmonline.com. 8 March 2018.
  8. ^ a b "2018 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Full List of Nominees". Ghana Web. 4 March 2018.
  9. ^ a b "Full List of Winners at 2018 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards". MyJoyOnline.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ "KiDi crowned Artiste of the Year at the 3music awards". Angel Online. 28 March 2022. Archived from the original on 1 July 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  11. ^ Boateng, Kofi (27 March 2022). "Kidi 'deserves' 3Music Awards Artiste of the Year – D Black says as show delays for hours". Pulse Ghana. Archived from the original on 22 May 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  12. ^ "3Music Awards 2022: Full list of nominees". GhanaWeb. 12 February 2022. Archived from the original on 31 May 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  13. ^ Ghana, Latest (13 February 2022). "Full List Of 3Music Awards'22 Nominees". Latest Ghana. Archived from the original on 22 May 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  14. ^ iChris (8 May 2022). "Kidi wins Artist of the Year, VGMA 2022 winners list – iCHRIS". Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  15. ^ "Winners full list for Ghana Music Awards 2022". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  16. ^ "KiDi wins 2022 VGMA Artiste of the Year". Citinewsroom – Comprehensive News in Ghana. 8 May 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  17. ^ "VGMA 22: KiDi breaks silence after being trolled for losing 'Artiste of the Year' award". GhanaWeb. 27 June 2021. Archived from the original on 22 May 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  18. ^ "KiDi – The Lynx Family – Ghana". Archived from the original on 21 November 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  19. ^ BellaNaija.com (8 May 2020). "New EP: KiDi – Blue". BellaNaija. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  20. ^ "Interview: KiDi Shows a Different Side of Himself in the New 'Blue' EP – Okayplayer". www.okayafrica.com. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  21. ^ Alake, Motolani (28 June 2021). "KiDi's addresses womanhood with love rhythms on 'The Golden Boy' [Pulse Album Review]". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  22. ^ Arthur, Erica Nana (1 November 2021). "KiDi's 'Touch It' is the most streamed Ghanaian song on Spotify". Starr Fm. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  23. ^ Ndetei, Chris (23 November 2019). "Kidi age, real name, partner, education, songs, albums and Instagram". Yen.com.gh – Ghana news. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  24. ^ "KiDi promises son golden hair for next birthday". GhanaWeb. 29 November 2021. Archived from the original on 21 November 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  25. ^ "Sarkodie tops the list of nominations for this year's 4syte Music Video Awards". nydjlive.com. 3 November 2017.
  26. ^ "2018 Ghana Music Awards UK Full List of Nominees". Ghana Web. 18 July 2018.
  27. ^ "2018 2018 3Music Awards nominees unveiled". 3news. 26 January 2018. Archived from the original on 6 August 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  28. ^ "AFRIMA 2018 full list of winners". pulse.com.gh. 25 November 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  29. ^ a b "Full list of nominations for VGMA 2019". Ghana Business. 19 March 2019. Retrieved 14 March 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  30. ^ "2019 VGMAs: Full list of winners". Ghana Web. Archived from the original on 17 July 2023. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  31. ^ "3Music Awards 2020: See the list of winners". MyJoyOnline.
  32. ^ "2019 4SYTE VMAs: Full list of winners". Ghana music. 19 October 2019.
  33. ^ "Kuami Eugene wins VGMA Artiste of the Year 2020". MyJoyOnline.com. 30 August 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  34. ^ "KiDi wins Artiste of the Year at the 2021 3Music Awards - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. 28 March 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  35. ^ "Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2021: All The Nominees". MyJoyOnline.com. 6 April 2021.
  36. ^ a b c d "2021 VGMA Awards Winners". BBC News Pidgin. 26 June 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
  37. ^ a b c d "Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2021: All The Nominees". MyJoyOnline.com. 6 April 2021.
  38. ^ "Headies Awards: Amaarae, Gyakie, KiDi and Nektunez nominated". 25 May 2022. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  39. ^ "VGMA 2022 Winners: See full list of VGMA 23 Winners". gh.standard.com. 10 May 2022. Archived from the original on 17 July 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  40. ^ "2018 Ghana Music Awards UK Full List of Nominees". Ghana Web. 18 July 2018.
  41. ^ "3Music Awards 2024: All the nominees". Music in Africa. 12 August 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  42. ^ "Ghana Music Awards UK 2024: All the nominees". Music in Africa. 9 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.