KODA (singer) explained

KODA
Birth Name:Augustine Kofi Owusu Dua Anto
Birth Date:15 December 1978
Birth Place:Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana
Years Active:2010–2024
Label:Elks Musik

Kofi Owusu Dua Anto (15 December 1978 – 21 April 2024), known mononymously as KODA, was a Ghanaian gospel singer, songwriter, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist from Takoradi.[1] [2]

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. 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".[3]

Music career

KODA also worked on Nii Okai's Moko Be and Gye W'ayeyi albums which gained him prominence as a producer. KODA worked with many gospel artists in Ghana and internationally, including Nii Okai, Pastor Joseph Gyebi, Danny Nettey, Pastor Joe Beecham,[4] Daughters of Glorious Jesus, Joyful Way Inc.,[5] [6] Pastor Helen Yawson, Yaw Osei-Owusu, "Ike Nanor", Eugene Zuta, Jesse Jenkins,Diana Hamilton and Calvis Hammond. 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 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" and "Amen".

His third album Black & White including the tracks "Guide Me O", "Nkwa Abodoo" and "Obiara Nte Se Wo",[7] and the controversial "Nsem Pii".[8] In 2016, he released an album OXYGEN, featuring the songs "Adooso", "Yaa Pae" and "Chimo".

In 2021, KODA released Keteke, his 6th vocal album .[9] As a music tutor, he released two instructional DVDs on bass and lead guitar and three live DVDs of his major concerts; KODA live (2008), Black and White live (2013) and Oxygen Live (2016).

Personal life and death

KODA was married to fellow musician Ewurama Dua Anto and together they had two sons and a daughter.[10]

KODA died in the early hours of 21 April 2024, aged 45, after battling kidney disease for an extended period.[11] [12]

Discography

Albums

TitleAlbum 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

YearEventPrizeRecipient / Nominated workResultRef
2015Ghana Music AwardsRecord of the YearNkwaa Abodoo[18] [19]
2014Africa Gospel Music AwardsProducer of the YearHimself
2013Christian Community Music AwardsSong with a CauseNsem Pii[20]
2012Africa Gospel Music AwardsProducer of the YearHimself[21]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Koda Set To Release Another Hot Single Tomorrow 1st May . 30 April 2014 . Modern Ghana . 14 September 2015.
  2. Web site: 2024-04-21 . BREAKING: Gospel musician KODA is dead - Reports . 2024-04-21 . GhanaWeb . en.
  3. Web site: 'Gye W' Ayeyi'-God's Instruments sing.
  4. Web site: 2023-11-15 . Pastor Joe Beecham to stage ‘Yonder’ concert on December 3 . 2024-05-13 . Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana . en-US.
  5. Web site: Ofori . Cwesi . 2016-10-26 . Joyful Way Inc – Wo Ye Owura (ft. Ps. Isaiah Fosu-Kwakye Jnr) prod. by KODA . 2024-05-13 . GospelGh . en-GB.
  6. Web site: Allotey . Godwin Akweiteh . 2016-10-30 . Joyful Way Incorporated releases new single . 2024-05-13 . Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always . en-US.
  7. Web site: KODA - Obiara Nte Se Wo.
  8. Web site: Churches frown on KODA'S "Nsem Pii" song.
  9. Web site: 2021-10-07. KODA releases 6th album ‘Keteke’ featuring top gospel acts. 2022-01-19. Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. en-US.
  10. Web site: All my friends have relocated to Accra because of music - KODA . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150630234336/http://www.myjoyonline.com/entertainment/2015/April-20th/all-my-friends-have-relocated-to-accra-because-of-music-koda.php . 2015-06-30 .
  11. Web site: 2024-04-21 . Gospel musician KODA reported dead - MyJoyOnline . 2024-04-21 . www.myjoyonline.com . en-US.
  12. https://www.modernghana.com/entertainment/77063/gospel-musician-koda-dies-after-battling-kidney.html Gospel Musician KODA dies after battling kidney disease
  13. Web site: KODA – Nkwa Abodoo (Bread Of Life) (Feat Nacy) (Live Performance). ghanandwom.com . 17 March 2015 . 7 September 2015.
  14. Web site: Myjoyonline's Gospel Music Review: Nkwa Abodoo (Bread of Life) KODA ft Nacy. Myjoyonline.com . 14 January 2015 . 7 September 2015.
  15. Web site: Churches Frown On KODA'S "Nsem Pii" Song. gospelgh.com . 7 September 2015.
  16. News: KODA - Adooso. Ofori. Cwesi. 2016-01-18. Gospelgh.com. en-GB. 2017-01-07.
  17. Web site: KODA's 'Adooso' track tackles monetization of the church [Video]]. Afanyi-Dadzie. Ebenezer. 2016-01-19. Ghana News. 2017-01-07.
  18. Web site: VGMA Industry Awards 2015 Winners. 7 April 2015. 15 September 2015. ghanandwom. Fiifi Adinkra. Adinkra. Fiifi.
  19. Web site: List of nominees for 2015 Ghana Music Awards. 28 February 2015. 15 September 2015. dailyguideghana. dailyguideghana. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150923212424/http://www.dailyguideghana.com/list-of-nominees-for-2015-ghana-music-awards/. 23 September 2015.
  20. Web site: 2013 Christian Community Music Awards (CCMA) – The Most Wanted. 24 April 2013. 15 September 2015. 233livenews.
  21. Web site: Nacy, Ohemaa Mercy, Gifty Osei, Skuulfoo, Nii Okai, Others Nominated For Africa Gospel Music Awards 2012+Full List Of Nomination. 7 June 2012. 15 September 2015. newsghana.