In 2009, Kofi Kinaata participated in the Melody FM (Kasahari) rap competition and emerged as first runner-up. He released his first single, "Obi Ne Ba" in 2011. In 2013, he became part of the High Grade Family, a music collective established by
Samini, where he received mentorship and gained national prominence. In December 2015, he released a song titled "Made in Taadi" which was praised by many
Fante people due to the song's references to
Ankos (a fancy dress and masquerade carnival), a festival the Fante hold every 24 December. Kinaata is noted for his unique rhyme schemes and humorous rap style. In February 2020, Kinaata became the first artist to win the Hybrid Song of the Year Award at the Ghana Gospel Music Awards. Kofi Kinaata has won Songwriter of the Year three times consecutively at the
Ghana Music Awards. In September 2023, Kinaata performed at the
Ghana Football Association (GFA) Awards. In May 2024, Kinaata released his first EP, titled
Kofi OO Kofi. The album contained seven tracks: "Auntie Ama," "Abonsam," "Saman," "Effiakuma Broken heart ," "I don't Care," "Take Away" and "Overthinking."
Confession Released in 2016, the song "Confession" is thought to have kick-started Kinaata's popularity. The song's lyrics were adapted by the English department of the
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology for a Level 200 semester course (English Literature 263). In a final exam, the song (which is recorded in Kinaata's native Fante) was translated to English, and students were required to write a literary analysis of the lyrics. In his last interview before he was relieved of duties as Coach of
the Black Stars,
Avram Grant told
Bola Ray on Starr Chat that "Confession" was his favourite song. Kinaata's "Confession" was used in 2017 as the theme song for the minority party (
NDC) as a tease to the majority in parliament (
NPP) to describe the state of the nation. Players of Ghana
Black Stars further popularised the song by doing the "Confession dance" in goal celebrations at
AFCON 2017 Tournament in Gabon. The song received considerable playtime, helping Kinaata to win
Song Writer of the Year and
Best New Artist of the Year awards at the 2016
Ghana Music awards.
Things Fall Apart Kinaata released another single, "Things Fall Apart," in 2019. The song saw streaming success across music platforms, and featured in the
iTunes Ghana Top 100,
Audiomack Ghana Top 20 and
Boomplay AfroBeats charts for weeks. The song, produced by TwoBars, also featured on YouTube's Ghana trends with fellow celebrities such as
Asamoah Gyan,
Michael Essien,
Kwami Sefa Kai, Phillip Osei Bonsu,
Sadick Adams,
KiDi,
Efya,
Berla Mundi,
Joe Beecham rating it highly.
Collaborations Kofi Kinaata has collaborated with other artists such as:
Sarkodie,
Shatta Wale,
Samini,
Stonebwoy,
Kwesi Arthur,
Jayso,
Castro,
Becca,
Fancy Gadam, among others. His works on
Odo Pa by Castro and
Ghana Black Stars captain
Asamoah Gyan were also widely received. Kinaata has credited Castro for being like a godfather to him, an inspiration who paved his smooth entry into Ghana's music industry. Obase Aboli, a
Cameroonian musician, disclosed his interest to collaborate with Kinaata in a September 2021 interview. In March 2024, Kinaata featured on the song "Sika" by
Okyeame Kwame.
Management Samini and Tony Pun signed Kofi Kinaata to the Samini Music/ High Grade Family record label in 2013. Kofi Kinaata left the label in 2018 after his 5-year contract with management ended. Kinaata is currently an independent artist with his own label, "Team Move Music."
Made in Taadi concert Kinaata's annual "Made in Taadi" concert is a major music event for the Western and Central Regions of Ghana. Both Kinaata's fans, and music lovers generally, have traveled from all over Ghana for this concert, which is usually held in
Takoradi during Christmas. Over the years, the event has witnessed performances by acts such as:
Stonebwoy,
Sarkodie,
Shatta Wale,
Pappy Kojo,
Joey B,
Kwaw Kese,
Medikal,
KiDi,
Edem. In 2019, the Made in Taadi concert was listed as one of the Top 100 Events in Ghana by Ghana Event Awards. == EPs ==