It took me 18 years to finish my book – Kojo Antwi

• Posted on February 6, 2026February 6, 2026
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

After nearly two decades of meticulous preparation, Ghanaian highlife legend and Afro-pop pioneer Kojo Antwi, affectionately known as Mr. Music Man, has revealed that his long-awaited book is finally ready for the public eye.

Speaking in an intimate and wide-ranging interview with Lexis Bill on Joy FM’s Personality Profile today, Thursday, February 5, 2026, the Tom & Jerry hitmaker opened up about the emotional and logistical hurdles that delayed the project for almost a generation.

For fans who have followed the maestro’s career, the announcement of a literary project is a dream come true.

However, Kojo Antwi disclosed that the manuscript has been sitting in wait for quite some time, held back by a sense of responsibility toward the national climate.

“I would say it has taken me about 18 years. Eighteen years, and when it was ready, a lot of things started happening here in Ghana, a lot of things that I couldn’t just bypass and had to wait for,” he explained. “It’s been ready for a while.”

Kojo Antwi suggested that the timing of a legacy project is just as important as the content, noting that he felt compelled to wait for the right energy in the country before sharing his life’s philosophy and history.

The book is an autobiographical odyssey that blends his personal history with the evolution of Ghanaian music, titled ‘From Bands to Ballads to Brilliance: Mr Music Man – The Journey’.

The book launch will take place on Wednesday, February 13, 2026, at the Labadi Beach Hotel.

The book is expected to cover:

• The Early Days: Growing up in Darkuman and his early exposure to the diverse sounds of Accra.
• The Boom Box Era: His time with the band Classique Vibes and his subsequent rise to solo superstardom.
• The Philosophy of Love: A deep dive into the lyricism that earned him the title of Ghana’s greatest romantic songwriter.
• Social Commentary: His perspective on the socio-political shifts in Ghana over the last 40 years.

Kojo Antwi remains one of the few African artistes who has successfully managed to keep his private life shielded while maintaining a massive, cross-generational public profile.

With over 20 albums to his name, he has defined the sound of contemporary Highlife.

From his reggae-infused tracks recorded in Europe to his traditional African rhythms, he has performed on world stages from London to New York.

His annual December 24th concerts have become a national institution, serving as a pilgrimage for lovers of live music for several years.