The past several years have been huge for electronic music. Iconic DJs and producers like Dead Mau5, Skrillex, David Guetta, Flying Lotus and many others, have created a new creative threshold, defining the direction of contemporary music. Music now is inundated with computer-generated sounds coupled with technologically manipulated sound effects like synths and any number of instrumentals. While it's amazing and all, sometimes it's good to reel things back down to Earth and to the bare minimums.
Kwesi Kankam is of Ghanian descent, but was born in Anchorage, Alaska and raised in Toledo, Ohio. His weapon of choice is an acoustic guitar and a soulful mind. A majority of influence took root in his early exposure to his brother's music collection, which was filled with folk, hip-hop and rock. From then on, it's the classic tale of finding oneself and what to do. Kankam received a football scholarship to Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, though his athletic fervor was soon eclipsed by a love for the fine arts. He went on a study abroad program in Europe, where he finally realized what he wanted to do.
"I wanted to get out of town for a while so I studied abroad in Barcelona. I had been playing guitar more frequently, so I decided to bring it along with my camera. I fell in love with the Spanish-European culture. I learned the language, avoided all Americans, and documented the whole trip. When I eventually ran out of money, I started busking with my guitar. One day I found myself writing on the side of a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean, when I realized I wanted to, and could possibly become a songwriter."
His new life goal has recently come to fruition as he released his first EP Ran Away From Me back in March 2012. Since then, he has been touring America extensively from coffee shops to large venues in hopes that his soul-centric and heartfelt music will catch on. His latest single, "By My Side", was dropped not too long ago. Fans of easy-listening acoustic music, of the Ben Harper or Jack Johnson variety, will instantly fall in love with Kankam's style. He does what they do but with a little more soul. Stream below to frolic through the fields.
[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/79065313" iframe="true" /]
- Kwesi Kankam on Facebook
- Kwesi Kankam on Twitter
- Kwesi Kankam on SoundCloud
- Kwesi Kankam on BandCamp
