Korsah, the Ghanaian rapper and songwriter, has established himself as a leading artist in the Afro-hip-hop movement. With his unique style integrating intimate songwriting, a love for melodies, and hard-hitting rap, he has become the spearhead of a new and exciting genre. Korsah fuses Afrobeats and hip-hop to tell the African story through music, creating melodious tunes that embody the struggles and triumphs of his people.
Born and raised in Atonsu, a vibrant town in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, Korsah’s love for music was honed from a young age. Growing up in a place known for frequent street rap battles and dance competitions, he quickly developed his rap and performance skills. As a result, he draws inspiration from American rappers Lil Wayne and Young Thug while citing Michael Jackson, Akon, and Daddy Lumba as his musical influences.
Korsah made his debut in 2015 with the single “Snapchat” and has since proven himself as a versatile artist with hits such as “Fa Ma Me” and the Kofi Mole-assisted “Show Something.” Over the years, he has also explored other genres like R&B, Afrotrap, and Drill, collaborating with established acts like Flowking Stone.
Despite his success, Korsah remains humble, acknowledging that his fans and the people of Africa are the real stars. He sees his music as a way of telling their stories and showcasing their talents to the world. With his recent signing to the US-based record label 610Music, Korsah is poised to advance the genre and spread the Afro-hip-hop movement globally.
A highly personal journey is documented as Korsah gets into the very soul of a person with “Daily Bread.” Bright, vibrant colors belie the sense of geography he explores. The images show Ghana, his home country, and do the place such justice. Rather than go for the epic, these are small scopes, the day-to-day grind of what it means to be alive and what it takes to stay that way. He does not shy away from the more sorrowful expressions either, as everything comes into complete focus.
The direction by Yinka Soda adds to the realness of the many different scenes. He proves a deft cinematographer, allowing the moments time to breathe. Small details are covered in full. From the beginning, the focus on Kwame lets the viewer see the protagonist. As the teacher calls on him, a deer-in-headlights quality to his facial expression elicits sympathy. A time jump to selling water years later adds to this familiarity. Within this approach, patience develops. He hustles. Sells water. Shining shoes. Money adds up for him, and responsibility grows. Conflict arises between individuals. Visuals reveal that this is a parable of standing up for oneself, to refuse to be bullied. Everything about it has this touching quality, a sense of building one’s self-up to withstand the world’s pressures.
Korsah shares himself with the viewer on the confessional “Daily Bread,” offering a modern update on saying grace. The result is a beautiful, profoundly touching experience.
