KODA (singer)

Kofi Owusu Dua Anto (born 15 December 1978), known mononymously as KODA, is a Ghanaian Gospel singer, songwriter, record producer and multi-instrumentalist from Takoradi.[1]

Kofi Owusu Dua Anto
Birth nameAugustine Kofi Owusu Dua Anto
Also known asKODA
Born (1978-12-15) 15 December 1978
Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana
GenresGospel, Urban contemporary gospel
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • music producer
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • keyboards
  • guitar
Years active(2010–present)
Labels"ELKSMUSIK"

Early life and education

KODA fell in love with musical instruments at a tender age. His mother enrolled him in a music class at the age of 10 where he developed his skills to play the guitar. He went to the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) where he became the mass choir director of the university.

KODA was also the music director and instrumentalist of the "Music Wing of Baptist Students Union", "KNUST's Simply Jazz Crew", "God's Instruments" and a leading member of "Da Project" which was a legendary Ghanaian contemporary gospel group then.

Music career

After tertiary education, he co-wrote, mixed, mastered and produced the exceptional album, Awurade Ei for KNUST's "God's Instruments" at KODED studios, Takoradi, Ghana. The album received massive recognition in the country. It had great hits such as "Awurade Ei" ("Se Woma Wonsa Soa"), "Tumi" and "Onyame" Ye D'awase".[2]

He also worked on Nii Okai's Moko Be and Gye W'ayeyi albums which actually blew him up as a producer.

KODA has worked with many gospel artists in and out of Ghana including the likes of Nii Okai, "Pastor Joseph Gyebi", Danny Nettey, Pastor Joe Beecham, "Daughters of Glorious Jesus", "Joyful Way Inc.", Pastor Helen Yawson, Yaw Osei-Owusu, "Ike Nanor", Eugene Zuta, Jesse Jenkins, Diana Hamilton and Calvis Hammond, among others.

KODA and "The Anointed"

The Anointed is a music group formed by KODA and his friends based in Takoradi. The group has supported many gospel ministries in the country and overseas.

KODA currently has four vocal and two gospel jazz albums to his credit. "Nyame Beye" which is the first and "Waye Wie" which had hits including "Waye Wie", 'Zion's song', "Poma", 'Amen' and others. His third album "Black & White" had many hits like; 'Guide Me O', "Nkwa Abodoo", "Obiara Nte Se Wo",[3] including the controversial single, "Nsem Pii".[4] In 2016, he released an album "OXYGEN" which featured songs such as "Adooso" , "Yaa Pae" and "Chimo".

In 2021, he released his 6th vocal album ('Keteke').[5]

As a music tutor, he released a two instructional DVD on bass and lead guitar and also 3 live DVDs of his major concerts;'KODA live 2008', Black and White live 2013' and 'Oxygen Live 2016"

Personal life

KODA is married to Ewurama Dua Anto, who also sings. They currently have 3 children (2 sons and a daughter).[6]

Discography

Albums
Title Album details
Nyame Beye (God'll do it)
  • Release year: 2006
Waye Wie (He's done it)
  • Release year: 2008
My Passion - Christian Jazz
  • Release year: 2008
Joy - Christian Jazz
  • Release year: 2008
Black & White
  • Release year: 2013
Oxygen
  • Release year: 2016
Hosanna
  • Release year: 2018
Keteke
  • Release year: 2021

Major Singles

Awards and nominations
Year Event Prize Recipient / Nominated work Result Ref
2015 Ghana Music Awards Record of the Year Nkwaa Abodoo Won [12][13]
2014 Africa Gospel Music Awards Producer of the Year Himself Won
2013 Christian Community Music Awards Song with a Cause Nsem Pii Nominated [14]
2012 Africa Gospel Music Awards Producer of the Year Himself Nominated [15]

References
  1. "Koda Set To Release Another Hot Single Tomorrow 1st May". Modern Ghana. 30 April 2014. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
  2. "'Gye W' Ayeyi'-God's Instruments sing".
  3. "KODA - Obiara Nte Se Wo".
  4. "Churches frown on KODA'S "Nsem Pii" song".
  5. "KODA releases 6th album 'Keteke' featuring top gospel acts". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 7 October 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  6. "All my friends have relocated to Accra because of music - KODA". Archived from the original on 30 June 2015.
  7. "KODA – Nkwa Abodoo (Bread Of Life) (Feat Nacy) (Live Performance)". ghanandwom.com. 17 March 2015. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
  8. "Myjoyonline's Gospel Music Review: Nkwa Abodoo ( Bread of Life ) KODA ft Nacy". Myjoyonline.com. 14 January 2015. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
  9. "Churches Frown On KODA'S "Nsem Pii" Song". gospelgh.com. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
  10. Ofori, Cwesi (18 January 2016). "KODA - Adooso". Gospelgh.com. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
  11. Afanyi-Dadzie, Ebenezer (19 January 2016). "KODA's 'Adooso' track tackles monetization of the church [Video]". Ghana News. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
  12. Adinkra, Fiifi (7 April 2015). "VGMA Industry Awards 2015 Winners". ghanandwom. Fiifi Adinkra. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  13. "List of nominees for 2015 Ghana Music Awards". dailyguideghana. dailyguideghana. 28 February 2015. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  14. "2013 Christian Community Music Awards (CCMA) – The Most Wanted". 233livenews. 24 April 2013. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  15. "Nacy, Ohemaa Mercy, Gifty Osei, Skuulfoo, Nii Okai, Others Nominated For Africa Gospel Music Awards 2012+Full List Of Nomination". newsghana. 7 June 2012. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
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