February 2, 2021 - Music Observer

Kweku Smoke Rising Above all Odds in the African Music Scene

Music Observer Staff on February 2, 2021

As a musician born in Africa, Kweku Smoke has his eyes set on joining the long list of musicians who have put Africa on the global map. On a musical journey with different influences, Kweku Smoke is steadily working his way up to fame and success. Born Paul Amankwa in Kumasi, Ghana, Kweku Smoke is one of the most highly rated rappers in Ghana, and his latest album, “Snoop Forever,” is a testament to that.

Early in his life, he set out to become a lawyer, a plan that was overridden by his brother’s influence. As a child, Paul followed his brother to the recording studio anytime his brother went to record songs. He would watch his brother closely as he rehearsed and recorded songs, and his interest in music was piqued. Soon, he began to listen to his brother’s music CDs and fell in love with Hip-hop and rap lyrics.

Everything about watching his brother create music played a huge role in his career, and as his passion for music grew, his interest grew too. In 2018, Paul Amankwa started dropping freestyles under the stage name YRS and started gaining some traction on social media. He changed his stage name to Kweku Smoke in 2019 shortly before he met famous rapper, Sarkodie who endorsed him on social media.

Meeting Sarkodie changed things for him, and they both created a song together titled “Yedin.” “Yedin” became a catchy anthem in Ghana, which gave Kweku Smoke some popularity in the Ghanaian music scene, and many people began to follow Kweku Smoke’s music. Since the collaboration happened, he has been working on building a name for himself and growing his brand as a musician. On the 18^th of December, Kweku Smoke released his album titled “Snoop Forever,” an album dedicated to his late brother, who went by the name Snoop when he was alive.

Losing his brother, who single handedly influenced his entire career changed things for Kweku Smoke. According to him, he had other ideas for his album, but his brother’s death made him overhaul the idea to create an album that pays tribute to him.

“After my brother’s death, I went back to the studio to record all over again because all I felt at the time was keeping his memory alive. My brother is the reason I make music today, and naming my album after him was one of the least things I could have done to honor his memory. It relieves me that the album is out and doing numbers, and I know he will be proud and happy wherever he is,” Kweku Smoke says.

The album addresses a lot of societal issues in Africa while also talking about the challenges he went through while building his career. Kweku Smoke is all about inspiring the next generation to be successful and showing them that they can achieve it if they truly want it.

Learn more about Kweku Smoke on his Instagram page, and watch his music video, “On the Streets,” here. His album is also available for streaming here.

Hollywood Turk Is the Rising Rapper Making a Significant Mark in the Hip-Hop Industry

Music Observer Staff on February 2, 2021

Leaving his hometown in North Carolina with no job and only $250 in his pocket, rising rapper Hollywood Turk had nothing with him except a vision he was determined to pursue. That vision was to make a significant name for himself in the industry through his powerful gift in music. Today, he finds himself in the process of transforming that vision into reality as his tracks gain traction in various places, impacting listeners with his sick beats and impactful lyricism.

Born on August 18, 1986, Hollywood Turk was raised by his parents in a Christian environment in Forest City, North Carolina. Growing up in a small city with very few job opportunities, he knew that exploring bigger places was the only way he could achieve his grand aspirations in life. At the early age of 12 years old, he discovered his talent in rapping. Inspired by the late rap legend Tupac, Hollywood began to venture into freestyle rapping. By 2009, he created his first track but never really became fond of it. Following his first attempt at making a hit song, he collaborated with his cousin K Slay and produced a song that took off. This marked the beginning of his career in the music arena.

It was 2010 when the rap artist finally decided to move to California with his close high school friend TJ. Driving to California in TJ’s Mercedes Benz, Hollywood Turk carried only $250 in his pocket. For two years, they lived with TJ’s parents and slept on their couch before finally being able to get their own place. Although this journey was filled with challenges, Hollywood Turk had his eyes on pursuing his dream in the industry.