One on One with Kojo Akusa

I recently got the opportunity to chat with to a multi-talented man who was born in Russia , with roots in Ghana ans currently living in South Africa . He's been in the industry for five years now and has worked with the likes of Andy Compton , Cei Bea, and Distant people just to name a few . If you a house junkie you' ll know him , He is Kojo Akusa .

Kojo Akusa

 

Real Biz 
Three words that best describe you

Kojo Akusa 

Creative, Introvert, Perfectionist

Real Biz 

Who is Kojo Akusa?

Kojo Akusa 
Kojo Akusa is a visual artist, producer and dj who was born in Russia to Ghanaian parents and is currently living in SA.

Real Biz 

Where is Kojo Akusa based now?

Kojo Akusa
In Gauteng, Pretoria

Real Biz
You started producing and making your own beats in 2003, how has it been since then?

Kojo Akusa 
It has been fun and challenging at the same time. It started out as just a hobby, something I was   curious about. I liked house music since I was young, but I never imagined I could produce my own. And I’m someone who always wants to do something that stands out from the rest. I wanted to be different from everyone else. I kept being told that my beats are too “foreign” or “international” or “too deep” and that no one would listen. But I kept doing my own thing, whether it was accepted or not.

Kojo Akusa

Real Biz

Please tell me more about the Beat Rebels movement and why you formed it ?

Kojo Akusa

I formed Beat Rebels in 2006 with my 2 best friends Miles (Smiles) and Phethego (PT), in response to the Pretoria house (more popularly known as Rekere) that was domination in those days. Most of our peers did not understand deep or soulful house then. Most people just follow whatever is popular at the moment. So we decided to create a movement that would remain rooted in originality and uniqueness, fusing deep house, lounge, soul, and house music in its other forms to create something different. It was started as an underground movement and has remained that way, until recently. The other guys have gone their separate ways and Beat Rebels went into hibernation, but I recently revived it with my friend and protégé, Lele X.

Real Biz

How long have you been in the house industry ?

Kojo Akusa

About 5 years. 5 years because I started being active in 2007, but have been “underground” till 2010.

Real Biz

Do you classify yourself as an underground dj?

Kojo Akusa

No. I was an underground Producer. I’ve only been djing for just over a year. I never really wanted to be a dj, till I knew for certain that I could play a whole set of my own music without any doubts. I realized the importance of playing and promoting your own music.

Real Biz

Who have you worked with and who would you like to work with in future?

Kojo Akusa

I’ve worked on original music with Eugene Macdonald (Guests of Nature), from UK, Airi (Japan), and a few other international artists. Locally I’m working with Lele X, Les-Ego, Darque, to name a few. I’ve done several remixes for the likes of Andy Compton, Cei Bei, Distant people, and many more.

Real Biz 
What does Kojo Akusa do for fun?

Kojo Akusa 

I watch cartoons and movies, play computer games, and sometimes go out with friends

Real Biz 

What makes you tick?

Kojo Akusa 

Art makes me tick. Anything weird and fascinating, and extraordinary

Real Biz

Do you listen to anything else but house?

Kojo Akusa 
Yes. In fact i spend more time listening to soul and neosoul, hip-hop, rock, jazz, and even classical

Real Biz 

Favourite hang - out spot

Kojo Akusa
The cinema

Real Biz

Favourite song of all time?

 

Kojo Akusa 
The Rurals - Rebel

Real Biz

What are you currently listening to?

Kojo Akusa
Marathon men - Paradise

Real Biz

Seeing that we are in the youth month please leave us some encouraging words for them

Kojo Akusa   

This may be a cliché but you can’t say it too much, never give up on your dreams. Keep dreaming and keep working towards them. You can do anything if you believe you can. Also take the time to learn as much as you can. You can’t do much if you don’t know much.

 Get him on twitter 

@kojoakusa