The Griot’s Gospel Delivered By Koo Kumi

William Sakyi Kumi popularly known as Koo Kumi is a Ghanaian spoken word artist, photographer, slam poet and mixed media visual artist. He is known for his blend of Twi and English languages.

His recent album "The Griot" which is a thirty one minute long spoken word poetry album shed its light on different issues faced in Africa. The poet in this project takes on the robe of an African storyteller as the name suggests and uses his voice to amplify these issues.

The album opens with "Manifesto Of Dystopia". The bobbing beat accompanied by the strong vocal presence of the poet gives you an insight as to what to except from this beautiful body of work.

The next track is an Ode to Accra. Here the poet paints a picture of the city Accra. Giving us a lucid day-to-day activity in this great city. "Accra the grave for the brave" as the poet describes it.

Wene Narh vocals on the reggae beat of "Same Old Song" gives you a Bob Marley vibe but this time with Poetry at the core. This track tells same old tale of one of the causes of Africa underdevelopment and that’s bad leadership. Like an emjabment this idea flows into the next track "How Did We Get Here" where the poet question how his country got to such degrading state despite people paying the price for a better state.

“If These Walls Could Talk" address one of the major topic in our society and that’s rape. The poet goes off stating that the victim shouldn’t be blamed. This is the only track on the album with no instrumental.

The poet reminds us on "Just For You (Slow Down)" to take our time as we go through life.

The album draws its curtain on "Man Of The House" where the poet reminisce on the times when he was young with no worries and how being a man comes with responsibility. The poem transcends into the end product of what the society what a man to be.

The Griot is a beautiful spoken word album that encapsulates and address some vital issues in our society.