Go Back

Koo Nimo

First Name: 

Other Names: 

Last Name: 

Stage Name: 

Country: 

Born: 

Primary Language: 

Other Languages: 

Bio

Born Kwabena Boa-Amponsem, Koo Nimo is a Ghanaian palm wine and highlife musician with a vast catalog comprising over 100 songs. He wears many musical hats, being a guitarist, vocalist, composer, poet, performer, educator, administrator, bandleader, and record producer. By the age of 19, Koo Nimo was already imparting his knowledge, teaching drumming, guitar, and brass band music in his hometown. Notably, his songs made history as the first works by a Ghanaian artist to be released on CD. In 1979, he ascended to the position of President of the Musicians' Union of Ghana, solidifying his influential role in the music industry. His attainment of a doctorate in ethnomusicology highlights his dedication to preserving and studying the cultural significance of music.

Discography

Albums¹

Highlife Roots Revival2012 • AlbumTracks: 11

Label

Record Label associated with Koo Nimo - past and current.

Similar Artists

Idrissa SoumaoroMali |1949| French

Idrissa Soumaoro, a versatile artist, educator, and composer, was born in 1949 in Welessebugu (Ouéléssébougou), Mali. His musical journey commenced when he discovered his musical passion while experimenting with a modern guitar courtesy of his brother-in-law, a music teacher.

Hervé SambSenegal |1979| French

Hervé Samb, also known as Hervé Sambe, is a virtuoso guitarist, composer, and respected producer born in Senegal. His musical journey started at age 9, driven by a fascination with the rhythms of Senegalese heritage and African-American culture. He gained recognition with the Herve Samb Quintet and collaborated with artists like Marcus Miller. Known for his "Jazz Sabar" style, blending traditional Senegalese rhythms with contemporary jazz, Hervé released acclaimed albums and reaffirmed his artistic identity with "JOLOF" in 2023, promoting values of openness, cultural diversity, and gratitude through his music.

Obo AddyGhana |1936| Akan

Obo Addy is a highlife performer and songwriter from Ghana. He was well-known for his mastery of the talking drum and is credited with bringing it back to life and making it more widely used. He has released 17 albums and has received several awards, including the 1999 UNESCO Prize for the Promotion of Music. Ghana's Accra is where Addy was born. When he started playing the talking drum at age 10, he was already being called a prodigy. He eventually went on to the University of Ghana to study music, and he later went on tour with the Ghanaian National Dance Ensemble.

Karim ZiadAlgeria |1966| Arabic

Karim Ziad is a talented Algerian musician percussionist, drummer, singer, and composer. His unique style fuses North African music's richness with soulful jazz sounds. Starting in Algiers with a hard rock band, Ziad later pursued biology studies in Paris, where he immersed himself in the vibrant jazz scene. His exceptional jazz drumming caught the attention of renowned artists like Cheb Mami, Khaled, and Idir, leading to collaborations with other notable musicians. A trailblazer in contemporary jazz and North African music, Ziad's innovative compositions resonate worldwide, leaving a lasting impact on the global music community, inspiring artists and enthusiasts alike.

Akinwumi ToyinNigeria |1920| Yoruba

Akinwumi Toyin, known by his stage name, which is also his real name, is a talented Yoruba singer from Nigeria. His music beautifully integrates his native language, reflecting his deep connection to his culture. Signed with Ereola Records, he is known for his expertise in the natural sound genre. His notable work includes the album "Ifa Olokun - The Oracle," a vivid demonstration of his unique musical style and profound cultural representation.

Lionel LouekeBenin |1973| French

Lionel Loueke is a guitarist and vocalist from the Republic of Benin. He started out learning percussion instruments when he was 9 years old, before picking up the guitar at age 17. Over the course of his career, Loueke has studied at various prestigious musical institutions and worked with various musicians from around the world. In 2008, he released his major-label debut album, "Blue Note. And ever since, he's gone on to work on and releases over 30 albums.

Chiwoniso MaraireZimbabwe |1976| Shona

Chiwoniso Maraire was a talented Zimbabwean singer-songwriter, and mbira music exponent. She was the daughter of renowned Zimbabwean mbira master and teacher, Dumisani Maraire. At the age of 15, she was part of the hip-hop trio, A Peace of Ebony, which was among the first to fuse mbira with contemporary beats. Later, she joined The Storm, a band led by guitarist Andy Brown, who later became her husband. With her firm voice and Brown's guitar, the band toured the world and won several awards. Chiwoniso released her debut album, "Ancient Voices", in 1995, which received international acclaim. She went on to record more albums and was a core member of the multinational all-women band Women's Voice. Chiwoniso Maraire passed away in 2013.