‘Rastafarians Are Not Criminals’ – Ras Kuuku

Award-winning Reggae artiste, Ras Kuuku, who for many years had gone through a lot of negativity, says nothing irritates him more than the negative perception people have about Rastafarians. 

According to the ‘Wo’ hit-maker, he’d had very unpleasant encounters with people, whose judgements about his dreadlocks made him feel like a social misfit in his own country.

“I don’t want to be personal about this but truthfully, I’m yet to understand why Rastafarians are treated that way. It is as if being a Rastafarian is a crime. People just don’t want to see you in a positive light.

“However, that should not be the case. Ghanaians and Police behave as if we are criminals, but we are not. They will stop you in town and search you in an unwarranted manner. I appeal to the CID Boss, Madam Tiwaa, to speak to her men about this. The future leaders are treated unfairly because of one or two locks,” he lamented to Halifax Ansah- Addo on the ‘Best Entertainment Show’.

The father of two is of the opinion that such perceptions have gone a long way to influence the media’s appreciation of Reggae music, as well as individuals wearing dreadlocks.

Ras Kuuku regretted that the media had been biased in promoting Dancehall over Reggae, resulting in both genres being merged into one category at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA).

“It is interesting that Dancehall is bigger than Reggae music in Ghana, when the former is the baby of Reggae music. It appears the agenda is to make Reggae irrelevant because it is thought to be coming from people that society doesn’t see as sane.

“But is that the case? Definitely not, because Reggae is conscious music and if people want to judge the correctness of music by appearances, then we are far behind time.

“Dancehall is party song and Ghanaians love such songs so definitely, it will be popular. However, being popular doesn’t mean it is better because Reggae is conscious music and promotes good over evil.

“It is the only genre which encourages people to reflect on their lives and make good decisions for the future but unfortunately, it not given the necessary attention,” he stated.

According to Ras, who is popular for songs like Nwansina, Kpagbum Style, Bad System, Beauty and Show Dem Love, Reggae music can help curb violence and indiscipline, which is on the rise in the country today.

“We need to feed people with the right music as food to influence their thoughts and actions”, he said.

An old student of Nungua Secondary School, where he was the Entertainment Prefect, Ras Kuuku, real name Kojo Kurankye, took music seriously in the late ‘90s as a member of SM Bradez, which he formed with his cousin.

The duo went their separate ways after releasing songs such as ‘Wo Ne Me Hemaa’ which did quite well in those days.

His love for Reggae pushed him to release his maiden album, ‘Nokwere’ in 2012. He is set to release a new one dubbed “Kuntunkununku”.  The 15-tracked collection, according to Kuuku, contains well brewed lyrics and melodious rhythms.

Ras has received many nominations and awards including the Best Reggae Artiste of the Year at the BASS Awards in 2014.