‘Who you know will take you there but what you know will keep you there’ — Kofi Kinaata ‘denies’ Castro, Samini help to become a star

Ghanaian musician, Kofi Kinaata has addressed claims suggesting his rise to stardom was smooth due to his connections with music legends Castro and Samini.

Laughing off, he stated, “It is said, ‘Who you know will take you there but what you know will keep you there.’”

Speaking on Accra FM’s ‘Ayekoo Ayekoo’ midmorning program, he elaborated, “For instance, if a nephew of yours wants to be a radio presenter, you might get him an introduction to the management because of your relationship. But after that, he must prove his hard work to secure employment.”

Kinaata acknowledged that working with Reggae/Dancehall artiste Samini and the late Hiplife artiste Castro provided him with some advantages in the music industry.

However, he emphasized that many others had similar opportunities but did not achieve his level of success, due to various reasons.

“Castro did not do music with only me. I’m also not the only person Samini worked with,” Kinaata said.

He added, “This means you might be given opportunities, but ultimately, your success depends on your talent and determination.”

Kinaata’s collaboration with Castro on the career-enhancing “Odo Pa” in 2014 was essential, and after five years with Samini Dagaati’s High-Grade Family, he became an independent artiste in 2018.

Since his hit single “Susuka” in 2015, he has achieved multiple hits and recently released his first seven-track extended play (EP), “Kofi oo Kofi,” on May 10, 2024.

The EP opens with an ode to his mother, Auntie Ama.