Castro goes gospel

He came onto the Ghanaian hip-life music scene on a very high key note with his debut “Damages” in 2003, and managed to endear himself to the hearts of many music fans in a very short time.

Four years on and after three successive hit albums in his musical career, the Takoradi native, Castro De Destroyer, is about to stun hip-life enthusiasts, especially his fans, with his new project (surprise-surprise), a gospel album!- early next year.

The 10-track album, he told The Spectator, is to show appreciation to God for the wonderful things He has done in his life, and for bringing him to where he finds himself today. “I want to prove to people that God has done something big for me,” he said, adding, “God almighty Jah has done a lot for me and the best way to let people know what he has done for me is through this music.”

Speaking to The Spectator from a recording studio in Accra on Tuesday, he said “God has given me a message for the people. That is, he’s a wonderful God and as such we have to praise him for what he has done and continues doing”.

He said that he has started recording the album titled “Dea Onyame Ahyira No, Atanfo Ntumi Nsae No,” (translated as “Who Jah Bless, No One Curse”). It has tracks like “Ebe Yeyie” and “Otiasifuor Ye Kwa”

He explained that the album underscores the fact that “with God everything is possible; that no matter what you do, or where you’re from, you can do or become whatever you want to.”

Castro, who spoke like a preacher, said it is important that as a people we remain steadfast in God and should “have vigour for prayers. Don’t think if you are a drunkard you’ll be drunkard forever. With God everything is possible”.

On where he derives his lyrics from, he said “the songs come by themselves. Music is in me and it is in my family: my mother sings in church and the great gospel duo, the Tagoe Sisters, are my aunties.

Question: Is that the end of his hip-life career? The man described by his fans as Ghana’s 50 Cent, replied, “No!” Indeed, he says, “I’ll come out with a hip-life album two or three months after the release of the gospel”.

He dismissed claims that hip-life is not adequately gaining international reputation because of the Ghanaian languages used. He said “It is not about singing in English. It is about promotion” citing the example of the late Fela of Nigeria who did most of his songs in local language and yet gained international attention and recognition.

Is Castro married? He said “I am not married but seriously engaged.” When is the big day? He says “I’m putting one or two things together to go and see her family and take her to the altar. Whatever happens, “by next year, I will marry” but he adds quickly, “By the grace of God”.

The “Sa kwa ba” man, known in real life as Theophilus Tagoe, was motivated and pushed into music by V.I.P after they discovered him perform at an event. His style of rap in Twi, Ga and Fante, and his ability to sing, rap, dance and to perform with live band has gained him much fame.

His works have won him a number of awards at the Ghana Music Award and from Ghanaians resident in the United Kingdom. He has been nominated as the “African Best New Act” at the third Annual Black Music Awards in Cotonou, Benin, scheduled for November 30 and December 1. He is expected to perform two of his hit tracks at the event.