Jeff Kumordzie introduces his Peacemaykaz hip-hop collective

Jeff Kumordzie is a young Ghanaian of many talents, who says that Ghana should expect lots of great surprises and a show of true talent and quality artistic material from him. Known artistically as Nyne Ether, he is one half of the music group, Peacemaykaz which also comprises Samuel ‘Grantyzbleek’ Grant (Producer). Peacemaykaz is under the Native Inkjection brand of which Jeff is the CEO.

Born and raised in Ghana until age 16 when he moved to the U.S to further his education, Jeff has been back home in Ghana now only a couple of years after being away for almost thirteen years. Grant on the other hand was born and raised Ghana. The two met through a mutual friend at a recording studio, and have since been friends. With Jeff’s ability to express himself with words and rhymes combined with creative beats produced by Grant, Peacemaykaz becomes a formidable music collective that represents true hip-hop with an infusion of elements of reggae, R&B and highlife every now and then.

With influences ranging from Michael Jackson, Bob Marley, Will Smith and Biggie Smalls to Tupac Shakur, Jeff draws on his life experience from living in Ghana and the US to make the music from Peacemaykaz real, unapologetic and often thought-provoking. Their current releases are mostly online and gradually receiving airplay on mainstream radio. They include ‘Broken Shackles’-(Listen/Download) ,a song about corruption and the economic deprivation of Africa, and ‘Win ur Heart’-(Listen/Download), a song about a guy fantasizing about a girl he has a crush.

The group is constantly in the studio working and are currently on their fourth mixtape, ‘Tropical Heat’ which is targeted at their female fans mostly, since their previous releases have been more street oriented. It will include tracks such as ‘Regulator’ and ‘Hotter than Fire’. A full album is also in the near future.

As a collective that does mostly hip-hop music, Peacemaykaz is of the opinion that Hip-hop in Ghana is not yet where it ought to be. Jeff explains, “We lack support from sponsors and proper promotions making it difficult for the hip-hop artist to connect with hip-hop heads in Ghana and across Africa and the rest of the world for that matter. My dream for the genre and my aspiration as an artist is to continue to make quality music and creating a platform by using Peacemaykaz as a model for other aspiring rappers to follow. I would also like to see hip-hop gain much respect and recognition at the forefront of Ghana music, and exploited as an art form as well as the lucrative global business that it has become.

Jeff’s talent is certainly beyond just music; he also draws, paints, directs and edits videos. He directed and edited the last couple of videos for Peacemaykaz, released on YouTube. He loves writing poetry and movie scripts as well as acting. He is also a tattoo artist and has done tattoos for Promzy of V.I.P, Tiffany, Mimi, Captain Planet of 4x4, Playboi of Star productions, and many more.

For fans the Spirited Actor reality TV shows, Jeff would be a familiar face as he was amongst the top 12 finalists in Ghana. He comments, “I entered the Spirited Actor because I truly believe that I have what it takes to be the next African to star in a Hollywood movie. A dream I still keep alive although I did not make the final five. The spirited actor did give me some exposure which I hope will shed a positive light on my music career and my other talents”.

Although his acting career is yet to take off, Jeff has had some small roles in some music videos including ‘Legacy’ by Edem and Becca’s ‘Push’. “I haven't had the opportunity to be in any movies yet, mostly because I’ve been focusing on my music. But honestly I miss doing my acting thing. So I should be back in my ‘acting shoes’ really soon. Shirley Frimpong-Manso's works have appealed to me a lot recently. You’ll never know, I just might... “

With his hand in so many different pies, Jeff is confident of his abilities and he makes a bold promise to leave a mark on the arts and entertainment scene in Ghana and beyond. Watch the space!