Artist Name: Kenneth Appiah and the Soul Winners Birth Name: Kenneth Appiah Birth Place and Date: Accra, Ghana, Sept. 19th, 1972 Official Bio From the country of Ghana in West Africa comes Kenneth Appiah, the first African artist to join the Lion of Zion/Gospelreggae.com family. Kenneth is no stranger to the world of reggae and world music. He learned how to play congas at the tender age of five. Throughout the following years he taught himself to play a myriad of instruments such as drums, bass and guitar and has become a trendsetter in the Reggae/Afropop scene. He was the first to popularize Kpalogo (the rhythm style of Ghana) and bring it into the Christian market. Kenneth was raised in Chorkor, an old fishing village in the heart of Accra, the bustling capitol of Ghana. At the age of 4, he recalls hearing the songs of the local fisherman. These "call and response" songs were forever ingrained into his memory and have become a part of his sound today on songs like "Aboloo". In the churches of Ghana, there is only one style of praise and worship which is traditional "highlife" praise. Kenneth has set out to bring a new style of praise music into the churches. Influenced by Steel Pulse, the late Bob Marley, Youssou N'Door and Lucky Dube, Kenneth has dedicated his life to representing the controversial styles of Reggae and Afropop for Christ. He got his start by performing in the church he grew up in. After high school, he went on to form a group of backing musicians who would come to be known as The Soul Winners. Kenneth Appiah and The Soul Winners have become hugely popular in their home country. They have toured throughout Ghana and Nigeria and have played before crowds of thousands. In Africa they released 3 albums and have won 3 Ghana Gospel Music Awards, one of which was for Best Male Vocal. Their debut single was selected by Gospelreggae.com for the popular Boomshots! compilation. This resulted in an agreement with Lion of Zion Entertainment to release Kenneth's debut album. On his solo debut for Lion of Zion called "Keep On", Kenneth Appiah takes us on a wonderful journey to West Africa with a fusion of Ghanain rhythms, Reggae and Afropop. The first of his kind in the Gospel arena, he has been compared to the likes of Youssou N'Door and Lucky Dube. Over dense percussion, melodic guitars and vibrant horns, he sings captivating songs of praise and worship. Kenneth is currently on tour in the U.S. and has already performed in New York at the McDonalds Gospel Festival, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Ohio, Colorado and Arizona. I am nobody without Christ. If I live I live for him and if I die I die for Him. In all ways I am for Him.--(Kenneth Appiah) Exclusive Interview with GospelReggae.com GR: Tell us about yourself, where were you born and grow up, what your family is like, etc... Ken Appiah: I was born and grew up in Accra, Ghana, West Africa. I am the only son of my mother and father. GR: How did you begin doing music? Ken Appiah: I started by playing conga, drums, bass and guitar at church with my friends. When I was in high school, I gathered a few friends to start a group and I ended up being the lead vocalist. GR: If you could share the stage with any Christian or secular artist in the world (living or dead) who would it be? Ken Appiah: Donnie Mclurkin, Youssou Ndour and of course Bob Marley. GR: I know that you have written a whole heap of songs in the past, but what's your favorite one? Ken Appiah: "Keep On". GR: What's your favorite verse in the Bible and why? Ken Appiah: John 3:16 because it reminds me of God's love for me in spite of my numerous sins. Instead of me having to die as a result of my sins, He provided His Son Jesus Christ to take my place and give me eternal life. GR: What career goal did you abandon for music? Ken Appiah: At one time I wanted to be a civil engineer because I loved physics, chemistry and mathematics. GR: What's the most embarrassing job that you have ever had? Ken Appiah: Actually, I've never had a job outside of music. I have been singing and playing since high school. GR: Name one thing that fans do not know about you. Ken Appiah: I never learned to swim or drive a car. I saw my first movie inside a theatre at the age of 34. GR: Name something personal that gives you great satisfaction. Ken Appiah: Seeing my kids, praying and reading the Scriptures. GR: What has been a high point in your career? Ken Appiah: Performing at the New York City center in the McDonalds Gospelfest in 2006. GR: What is your philosophy of stage ministry? Is there any one message that you always want to leave with your audience? Ken Appiah: That I am here as an ambassador of Christ to win souls-hence the name "Soul Winners". The message I always want them to remember is that there is no life without Christ. GR: What is the best audience that you have ever played in front of? Ken Appiah: New York City Center GR: What country would you tour (even if you didn't get paid to perfom)? Ken Appiah: War-torn countries like Rwanda, Burundi and Somalia. GR: What goes through your mind before you go onstage at the average show? Ken Appiah: That there may be someone in the audience that is going to Hell without Jesus. They need to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ brought across in a relevant way. GR: Do you prefer being in the studio or on the road?? Ken Appiah: On the road. I Like being on the frontline and love to minister to my fans face to face. GR: Why do you do music? What is your primary goal? Ken Appiah: To reach the lost world with the message of the good news of Jesus Christ. GR: Are you working on any future projects/releases that we should look out for? Ken Appiah: "AfroPraiz" is the next project that fans should look out for. Ministry I am a soul winner and my primary goal is to win souls for God's Kingdom. As a fisher of man, I use music as my bait to draw as many as possible to salvation in Jesus Christ alone. Kenneth Appiah and the Soul Winners have set out to redeem the beats, rhythms and diverse musical styles of West Africa for Jesus Christ. With Authentic sounds and an authentic spirit, we strive to fulfill the Great Commission while educating and entertaining Westerners about our rich culture and captivating music. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.