I met Dada KD for the first time last year at Bompata in Asante Akyem; his hometown at the house of our mutual friend, Madam Jane Anane of Vitamilk fame. We had both come to support her during the 10th-year anniversary of her mother’s passing.
By chance, I sat next to him. What a presence he was; witty, warm, and irresistibly charming. He shared stories of his childhood, especially about his strict uncle who, though tough, shaped the man he became. You could hear the gratitude in his voice. You could feel the humility behind the fame. He had us laughing, reflecting, and admiring all at once.
He spoke with real excitement about his upcoming performances in the US in the winter of 2025; his first ever in North America. It meant everything to him.
We stayed in touch, and I had the joy of inviting him to perform at my daughter’s traditional marriage this past January. None of us knew that would be our last meeting; he left for the US shortly after.
Dada KD wasn’t just a musician. He was a torchbearer of highlife, his voice, his lyrics, his soul, all rooted in the rich rhythm of our culture. He gave the genre new life and a new meaning.
His passing is a painful reminder to us not to wait. Don’t put off love, passion, or purpose. Tomorrow is a gamble. But today? Today is yours.
Amb. Edward Boateng
(The writer is the founder of Global Media Alliance and a former Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China)
