Ghanaian musician Cho Babe has released “Obuasi,” a community-themed song featuring Kay Cent, Datz, Atia, Kwaku Manu and Osaman Kwaku. Released on September 30, the record takes its title from the Ashanti town and uses music to document different aspects of life in the community.
The song moves through several Obuasi community names, with the verses functioning almost like a musical tour of the town. Rather than focusing only on the city’s identity as a mining community, the artistes touch on its people, relationships, lifestyle and the sense of belonging associated with growing up or living there. The line “Me firi Obuasi, sika kɔkɔɔ hyɛ me nan ase” introduces the song’s connection to the town and its long association with gold.
The collaboration also brings together different generations of Ghanaian entertainment. Kwaku Manu, the popular actor and entertainer with a large following, adds his presence to the project, while Osaman Kwaku, a veteran figure associated with Ghana’s hiplife movement, represents an earlier generation of the genre. Kay Cent, Datz and Atia add their voices to the younger side of the collaboration, making the song a meeting point for different talents connected to the same community.
Musically, “Obuasi” combines an upbeat drill rhythm with highlife elements, giving the record a contemporary Ghanaian sound while retaining touches of the country’s older musical tradition. The use of Twi and Hausa further reflects the cultural mix within the community. With all six contributors having roots in Obuasi, the song ultimately works as both a musical representation of the town and a showcase of talents who share the experience of growing up there.
