Highlife singer Kofi Nti has revealed that his journey to musical stardom was never planned — but rather, prophesied.
Speaking on Atinka TV’s Entertainment Lounge with host Roman Fada, the celebrated artist shared a touching childhood memory of how a teacher predicted his future in music during a storytelling session back in basic school.
“I used to sing Ananse songs during storytelling time,” Kofi Nti recalled. “One day, my teacher looked at me and said, ‘You’ll become a great musician one day.’ At the time, I didn’t take it seriously at all. Music wasn’t even in my plans.”
According to Kofi Nti, his interests growing up were far from the spotlight. He was passionate about agriculture, and even today, he manages a farm around Kasoa. He also enjoyed table tennis, and never imagined a life on stage. But life had other plans.
A Path Through Highlife
Kofi Nti said his love for music grew over time, especially after being introduced to Daddy Lumba’s songs by a female friend. Ironically, he didn’t like Lumba at first — not because of his music, but because of how women adored him.
“I didn’t like him initially because women were crazy about him,” he laughed. “But then people started saying my voice sounded like his. Eventually, I started singing his songs, and people loved it.”
One moment stood out — when he sang a Lumba song and passersby bought food for him just to keep listening. That’s when he realized music might be more than just a hobby.
Today, Kofi Nti is a household name in Ghana’s highlife scene, with classic hits like Odo Nwom, Rakia, and Otolegee still enjoying airplay years after their release.
Looking back, he now sees that teacher’s words as a turning point — a prophecy that slowly unfolded through unexpected paths.
“It’s amazing how life works. What looked like a small classroom moment became the story of my life,” he said. He used the platform to urge young artists to take their craft seriously.
“The youth are doing well, but they must pay attention to the quality of their music. If you just produce a song for the trend, it won’t last. Music must advise, inspire, and live beyond you — like Lumba’s songs.”
Kofi Nti will headline “Kofi Nti and Friends” at Apatase next week, alongside KK Fosu and other artists. The event is expected to celebrate highlife music and honor the legacy of legends like Daddy Lumba, who recently passed away.
As Kofi Nti continues to shine, his story is a reminder that sometimes, greatness is spoken into our lives long before we see it — and when destiny calls, it has a way of making itself heard.
