Okraku Mantey tried to discourage me from competing in ‘Mentor’ - Kesse

Michael Kesse Frimpong, better known as Kesse, a product of TV3’s music reality show Mentor, has revealed how Mark Okraku Mantey tried to discourage him from competing in the reality show he eventually ended up winning.

Kesse rose to fame after winning season 4 of TV3’s Mentor and also took in Season 2 of MTN’s Project Fame West Africa and finished first runner-up to Chidinma.

The artiste in an interview with Christian Agyei Frimpong on Thursday edition of Anigye mmre on Accra-based Onua 95.1 fm, disclosed how Mark Okraku Mantey, one of the judges of the reality show nearly influenced him.

He said, “Mark Okraku Mantey told me to go and find something better to do, because I wasn’t fit for the competition. “I never gave up, remained focused and went ahead to win the competition.”

According to Kesse, he went back to Mr. Okraku Mantey to introduce himself as the young man he once discouraged, but said Mark claimed he did that to put him on his toes. “I can tell you his criticism really helped me and I appreciate it,” he told Christian Agyei Frimpong.

Kesse who has released a classic highlife single ‘Kwaadede’ says he will always be grateful to Ndwomtofohene Nana Kwame Ampadu who invited him personally to his house and encouraged him to concentrate on highlife music.