Samini, formerly known as Batman, hails from Ghana West Africa and has a whole “signature tune” to himself called “KPOOI”. Asked what the meaning of ‘Kpooi’ is, he says its a gunshot sound and that is his signal. It comes with every composition that he does. The gunshot is meant for all the back bitters. “We kill them dead”. Samini who keeps dread locks says he just wants to portray the African in him.” Before the white man brought a comb, there was dread. Africa has gone through a lot of changes and it has become very difficult for us to portray the real African in us.”
His debut album, Linda, was an instant success. It won him two Ghana Music Awards for Hiplife Artist of the Year and New Hiplife Artist of the Year. In 2006, he followed suit with his sophomore album, Samini, which can boast of smash hits like Odo. The self-titled album was to set the stage for his gradual emergence as Samini, an identity that would portray him as an authentic African artist.
Samini can pride himself as a consummate musician with several Ghana Music Awards including Best Artiste of 2007, and a Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Award. He also won the 2008 Hip Hop World Award for Best African Artist in Nigeria.
He has performed Canada, UK, Holland and Italy, Nigeria. He has shared the stage with artists like shaggy and Ja Rule; and he has collaborated with artists from all over Africa. He has featured close to 50 tracks with other musicians (both released and unreleased).
Shane Brown’s Juke Boxx Productions has released its own 2010 version of the immortal Stalag riddim (often referred to as the Stagalag riddim), undoubtedly one of the most revisited and popular riddims in dancehall history. This incarnation of the Stalag features tracks by Busy Signal, Romain Virgo, Tarrus Riley, I-Octane, G-Whizz, Assassin (Agent Sasco), Bugle, Kiprich, Chino, Elephant Man, Demarco and Chuck Fenda. Check out the preview mix below.
