After establishing himself with a breadth of immersive offerings these last few months, US-based Ghanaian artist Kojoson is now looking to cement his legacy to date with the release of his hotly-tipped debut EP 'TOXIC FREEDOM'.
Capturing more of that rich and alluring aesthetic he has been building for himself recently, this new six-track collection makes for an incredibly warm and inviting listen. With its dynamic production and adventurous spirit, 'TOXIC FREEDOM' is a strong and confident introduction to his sound so far.
So with the new EP available to stream now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has been inspiring him most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Like I always tell people, the first natural instrument I fell in love with was my voice. However, I loved the guitar so much that I started teaching myself how to play it. My first song on it was “Happy Birthday To You..” I couldn’t keep up learning, though.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
The old Ghanaian highlife and pop music was what held me down any day, any time! Kojo Antwi, Daddy Lumba, Amakye Dede, Eazzy and Mzbel, among others, always entertained me with their music. However, one American song that made me start singing was Tori Vega’s intro song “Make It Shine” in Victorious. I still cherish that song.
What was the first album you remember owning?
If what was for my father was mine, then I’d say I owned a mix of Akan Gospel Music albums which my father bought. I wasn’t one to purchase albums or download them because I loved singles, so I never owned any by myself.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
“The Best Part” by Johnny Drille.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I just play beats and start singing to them without any preparation. Each beat has its own soul, so I close my eyes and while I’m singing my unknown lyrics, I let the first drop of beat direct me to the part of my life it wants me to be. Basically, I use the beats as a meditation, reflecting on many impactful incidents around my life. I record everything and after the entire session, I listen to each of them, even those I didn’t feel so much connected to. My new music is born from this practice.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Johnny Drille, Giveon, Bruno Mars, KiDi, Gyakie, Asa, Modim, and Post Malone.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Everyone in the world! I want to be a rockstar who plays shows for everyone in every country. You must hear my voice, he must hear it, she should too. What about the toddler? Yes! The love birds, invite them, bring the pets! How divine it is to hear everyone sing your songs or renditions with you in different and beautiful accents on the big stage. I wish to experience this feeling one day.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
It makes me genuinely happy and relaxed. Also, I feel so happy when people send me private texts about how they resonated with some parts of my songs. It means they can feel and relate with me. It also means my music is gaining the power to change the world in the near future.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The stress of trying to get a lot of people to listen to my music. It is tiring and something I wish I could avoid dealing with. Even the idea of seeing just a few people listen to your song after weeks of its release is weakening haha.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
“No one owes you for listening to your songs.” – Someone on an X (Twitter) space to me.
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Kojoson's debut EP 'TOXIC FREEDOM' is out now. Listen to it in the player below.