Kenneth Appiah, the "Music Rabbi" was born and bred in a suburb called Chorkor in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana, West Africa. He is the first African artist to join the Lion of Zion/Gospel Reggae family. Kenneth disclosed that he is no stranger to the world of Reggae and world music. He learned how to play congas at the tender age of five.
Throughout the subsequent years, he taught himself to play a myriad of instruments such as drums, bass, guitar, and has become a trendsetter in the Reggae/Afro pop scene.
In an exclusive interview with this freelance journalist last weekend in Bronx, New York, "The Music Rabbi” stated that he would not have achieved his potential without Jesus Christ. "If I live today, I live for Him, if I die, I die for Him, and in all ways I am for Jesus Christ the Savior of Mankind".
At the age of four, he recalls hearing the songs of the local fisherman. These "Call and response" songs were forever ingrained into his memory and have become a part of his sound today on songs like "Wala Aboloo," meaning the “Bread of Life.”
"My literal meaning of spreading the word of God via the gospel music is to win lost souls to the Kingdom of God, " the Music Rabbi" noted.
In the Ghanaian Gospel Music industry, there is only one style of praise and worship which is the traditional "highlife" style, but the "Music Rabbi" has dedicated his life to the styles of Reggae/Afro pop for Christ. Kenneth Appiah and The Soul Winners International have become popular in the U.S.A. displaying their God-given talents before massive audiences including thousands of fans at the McDonalds Gospel Festival and the Living Legends Concert in New York. They have also performed in about 13 other states. Their debut single “Keep On” was selected by Gospel reggae.com for the popular Boomshots compilation and this resulted in an agreement with Lion of Zion Entertainment to release Kenneth's debut album. On this album the Music Rabbi takes us on a wonderful journey to some parts of West Africa with a fusion of Ghanaian rhythms, "Reggae and Afro pop”. The first of its kind in the Gospel Music arena. This unique sonic fusion is so different from anything else out there that any gospel reggae/afro pop enthusiast would be amiss to ignore it.
No other artist in the gospel arena has recorded music with the level of complexity involved in "Keep On.” It is truly musician's music. The percussive polyrhythm alone will have you spinning around in circles.
Spiritually speaking, this album is undeniably Christian as every song directs you toward God. With five roots cuts there is plenty reggae to satisfy even the staunchest roots aficionado and the remaining African tracks will literally knock your socks off. But don't just take my word for it--see for yourself.
Kenneth Appiah “The Gospel Music Rabbi" can be reached on his cell phone ,1-347 -694- 0378 ,Email address : knnth_ppiah@yahoo.com
By Prince Osei-Bonsu, Freelance Journalist, New York , NY
email: princeob2001@yahoo.com
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