Today in History: Three years after OJ Blaq’s final journey, his music and story live on

November 4, 2023, marked the final journey of Ghanaian musician and actor Andy Nii Akrashie, popularly known as OJ Blaq, as family, friends and personalities from the entertainment industry gathered to bid him farewell following his death at the age of 40.

Three years on, the date remains a reminder of a career that took OJ Blaq from the heights of Ghana's hiplife scene to the world of acting and, eventually, gospel music.

Best remembered for his hit song Chalewote, the musician had established himself as a familiar face in Ghanaian entertainment long before his passing. His contribution to music and television earned him a place among the entertainers whose work resonated with audiences across different generations.

OJ Blaq's journey to fame began in the early 2000s. He gained significant attention after releasing his debut album, The Blaq Mixtape, in 2006 under Lynx Entertainment. The project helped introduce his distinctive rap style to a wider audience.

He subsequently became known for songs such as Chalewote, featuring fellow rapper Asem, which became one of the defining records of his music career. Other songs, including Me Wo Mma and Target, also formed part of his musical catalogue.

Beyond the recording studio, OJ Blaq made a name for himself as an actor, particularly through his appearance in the popular Ghanaian television series SunCity, where he became familiar to viewers.

However, his career took a different direction following a difficult personal battle with kidney disease. The musician had spoken publicly about his health challenges, including undergoing dialysis treatment and making significant lifestyle changes.

In a February 2022 interview with Asaase Radio, he revealed that his experience with kidney failure had influenced his decision to move away from secular music and embrace Christian urban gospel.

Explaining the transition, he said: “It’s not easy moving from one path to the other. Now I do Christian urban gospel music.”

He further explained that he wanted to retain the familiar rhythm of his earlier music while changing the message to reach a new audience.

“My switch to Christian urban music was from my experience with kidney failure, so I decided to do gospel music with the same old rhythm style but different wording because the now Christians are different Christians.

“The new generation is not interested in the old style of Christianity but they are my target, the souls I want to win,” he said.

His decision to embrace gospel music became an important chapter in his career, with the musician using his personal experiences to shape a different musical identity.

OJ Blaq died in the early hours of August 17, 2023, after years of battling a kidney-related condition. Although his health struggles had been publicly documented, the exact cause of his death was not officially established in initial reports.

His death sent shockwaves through Ghana's entertainment industry, with colleagues, fans and music executives paying tribute to a musician whose career had spanned music, acting and ministry.

On November 4, 2023, his final funeral rites were held at the Empowerment Worship Center in Dzorwulu, Accra, where he had served as a pastor before his death.

Following the funeral service, he was laid to rest at the Gethsemane Cemetery in East Legon.

The ceremony attracted family members, friends, former Achimota School mates, religious leaders and prominent personalities from the entertainment and sporting communities. Among those who attended were former Ghana Football Association president Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe and former Black Stars captain Stephen Appiah.

Emotional tributes were also delivered, with reports from the ceremony particularly capturing the grief of his family, including his mother, who struggled to contain her emotions as loved ones celebrated his life.

For a musician who once commanded attention with his rap performances, OJ Blaq's final years were defined by a different message – faith, personal transformation and the desire to use music to reach people.

His journey was not without its struggles, but his ability to reinvent himself remains an important part of his story.

Three years after his burial, November 4 offers an opportunity to remember more than the circumstances surrounding his death. It is also a moment to revisit the music, acting career and personal transformation of a Ghanaian entertainer who left behind a legacy that extended beyond the microphone.

EA