Koo Kumi

William Du Bois Yaw Sakyi Kumi (born 5 May 1994), popularly known as Koo Kumi,[1] is a Ghanaian spoken word artist, photographer, slam poet and mixed media visual artist. He is known for his blend of Twi and English languages. He adopts a traditional sound as well as an alternative hip hop feel. He appeared on the literary scene in 2012.

William Du Bois Yaw Sakyi Kumi
Born (1994-05-05) 5 May 1994
CitizenshipGhanaian
Websitewww.kookumi.com
Portrait of Koo Kumi 2020

Early life

His father is Kumi Jonathan and his mother was Comfort Kumi, Koo Kumi is the first of four children. He is a native of Mampong Akuapem in the Eastern Region of Ghana.[2] He attended high school at St Paul's Senior High School, Kwahu and later moved to Mampong Presbyterian Senior High. He studied visual arts in high school and was the best Graphic Design and Ceramic student of his class.

He majored in journalism at the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) and earned a Bachelor of Arts in communication in 2018.[3]

Works

Koo Kumi is the brain behind "Trotro Vibes". Trotro Vibes is a movement of artists who use public transport as a stage to start conversations with poetry, spoken word and acoustic music. He has performed on several stages, including TV and Radio as well as various live performances at[4][5] places such as, The National Theatre (Ghana), Alliance Francaise (Accra, Ghana), British Council. He has worked with poets and musicians in Ghana and other countries such as Okyeame Kwame, Kwame Write, Wanlov the Kubolor, Ko-Jo Cue, Chief Moomen among others. Koo Kumi published an anthology "Beautiful Africa" with other young poets in 2013.[6][7]

Spoken word poetry
Recorded Poems
No. Title Year
1 Tribute to Awoonor 2013
2 Free Us 2013
3 Slow Down 2016
4 Untitled Ones 2016
5 Dear Future Wife[8] 2016
6 My Son 2017
7 The Greatest Poem Ever[9] 2018
8 Ankonam 2020
9 The Griot 2020

Albums and extended playlists(EPs)

His first body of work of poetry titled "Woke On The Mountain"[10] was released on 12 April 2019, officially.In 2020, he released his second EP "An Ode To A New Moon"[11] made up of three poems to celebrate his birthday.[12] He has also released a 10-track album titled 'The Griot' that tackles politics, urbanization and movement, culture, age of youth, and gender-related issues.[13]

Appearances

Koo Kumi twice appeared on BBC Africa's news. He appeared on it with Trotro Vibes in December 2016 and was featured on BBC through a mini documentary.[14]

Awards

He won the first teen slam in Ghana "Slam Ghana", 2013.[3]

He was nominated for "Poet of The Year" for Ghana Tertiary Awards 2017.

He won "Poet Of The Year" at the Eminence Awards in GIJ.[3]

Koo Kumi was given an honorary award at the 2019 Ghana Institute of Journalism Eminence Award as an "Eminent Alumnus under the age of 60"[15]

He won the 2nd Runner up at the 2019 Ghana Association of writers Awards (3rd Prize for the Kofi Anyidoho Award)[16]

References
  1. "The Future Is Tomorrow – Koo Kumi". Justica Anima. 21 February 2017. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  2. "Koo Kumi speaks words". Graphic Online. 30 June 2016. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  3. Ababio, Jesse. "Poetry Corner: Meet The Young And Award Winning Poetic Koo Kumi – Kuulpeeps – Ghana Campus News and Lifestyle Site by Students". Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  4. Donkoh/www.nydjlive.com, Ebenezer (9 January 2016). "Tyba Poetry to embark on a literacy Campaign dubbed 'Trotro Vibes'". NYDJ Live. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  5. Nanayaa, Mina (10 April 2016). "#Outspoken". nexus101. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  6. Demencia, Revista (28 February 2016). "Interview to William DuBois Koo Kumi by Amelia Nyan". Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  7. "Amazon.com: Beautiful Africa eBook: Kumi William DuBois ( Koo Kumi): Kindle Store". www.amazon.com. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  8. "Review of 'Dear Future Wife' from the Christian perspective". Graphic Online. 6 October 2017. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  9. Britton, George Mensah (7 June 2018). "The Greatest Poem Ever". Georgebritton. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  10. "Woke On The Mountain". Koo Kumi. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  11. Ababio, Jesse (5 May 2020). "Koo Kumi's New Tri-Piece "An Ode To A New Moon" Celebrates Life And Death". Kuulpeeps – Ghana Campus News and Lifestyle Site by Students. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  12. "Koo Kumi". Citi Newsroom. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  13. "Koo Kumi set to release epic album 'The Griot'". Citinewsroom – Comprehensive News in Ghana. 18 November 2020. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  14. Wundengba, Charles (14 September 2018). "He "Builds Bridges with Poems and Breaks Walls with Meaning", Meet Koo Kumi The Poet | Wundef.com". wundef.com/. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  15. "Ghana's Spoken Word sensation Koo Kumi bags two awards". PrimeNewsGhana. 22 November 2019. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  16. "Ghana Association of Writers shortlists two young writers for awards". ghananewsagency.org. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
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