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Ata Kak, the Ghanaian artist behind the cult classic Obaa Sima, crafted a singular blend of highlife, hip-hop and funk in the early ’90s that went largely unnoticed until decades later. Born Yaw Atta-Owusu in Kumasi, he moved through Germany and Canada, developing his sound using basic home equipment and sheer determination.
Initially released as a DIY cassette, Obaa Sima fused Twi rap with lo-fi beats and Afro-futuristic flair. It vanished into obscurity until 2002, when musicologist Brian Shimkovitz found a copy in Ghana and later reissued it in 2015 via Awesome Tapes From Africa. The internet lit up.
Despite late fame, Ata Kak remains grounded. “I don’t consider myself a legend, I’m just doing what I love,” he says. His global touring debut came well into his 50s, electrifying festivals across Europe with his infectious energy and joyful sound.
Once a mystery, now a pioneer of Twi rap and Afro-futurism, Ata Kak continues to write and record at home. “Music is like water,” he says. “Once it flows out, it can go anywhere.”
