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1-on-1 Interview with Koo Kusi.
In an open conversation with Ghanaian rapper Koo Kusi, we delved into the enthralling journey of an artist whose rise in the music industry has been nothing short of meteoric. From his deliberate thematic approach to each project, entwining mental health issues with his artistic expression, to his background as a Ghanaian-trained pharmacist plunging himself into the realms of pharmacology and neuroscience, Koo Kusi’s story unfolds as a tapestry of depth and purpose.
At FOURTH AVENEW, we decided to uncover the profound narrative woven into Koo Kusi’s creations and explore the intriguing crossroads of his artistry and academic pursuits in this 1-on-1 interview.
FOURTH AVENEW: You’ve obviously been making music for a while now, but things started coming together for you fully last year. Was there a time where you felt like quitting?
Koo Kusi: Not just yet. I am actually more grateful for my growth spurt since I went public in 2022.
F.A: I’m sure you might say you’re not where you want to be yet and rightly so. But do you believe your rise to this level, where you have people following keenly the story you’re trying to tell with your projects is meteoric?
K.K: Very much so! You’re right, I’m more than a few steps away from my final destination. But to have garnered a loyal cult following that can draw patterns between my songs and trailers in just two years is certainly hard to wrap your head around.
F.A: It looks like there’s always a deliberate attempt at every project carrying a theme. Is that the case?
K.K: Rightly so. Each year I have an overarching mental health theme that I run with. In year one I did inferiority complex and imperfection, and in my sophomore year I did atychiphobia. The goal is to connect my professional background with my art.
F.A: I’m quite curious, what is atychiphobia? And what’s your professional background?
K.K: Atychiphobia is an intense fear of failure. It usually causes people to dare less, or shy away from any activity that presents even a marginal chance of failure. Also, I am a Ghanaian-trained pharmacist currently pursuing a postgraduate degree in pharmacology and neuroscience. My research focuses on nicotine and cocaine use disorder.
“But to have garnered a loyal cult following that can draw patterns between my songs and trailers in just two years is certainly hard to wrap your head around.”
– Koo Kusi
F.A: That’s quite interesting. Have you fully felt the impact of all these projects you have dropped so far?
K.K: That’s a hard question, I think the listener will have a better opinion. For me, if one person listens to my project and says “I never thought about this issue this way”, or “this feels like it was written for me”, I have found my titre value. And this has happened severally. Concept tapes such as mine will be relevant year on year, and so I guess it’s safe to say we will never know what the full potential of these messages are.
F.A: Do you think your current dispensation of living and studying in the US has contributed to your creative process?
K.K: I’m tempted to say no, but I don’t want to be too quick to dismiss it. Much as I believe my creative acumen is intrinsic, the environment may be doing some subconscious wiring. I guess I’d never know the answer to this one.
F.A: Now, going into this new project, where was your head at?
K.K: I am finally at that point where I believe I have made enough observations and done enough learning to speak to addiction. That’s where I’m at.
F.A: What would you like for listeners to takeaway from this new offering?
K.K: Three things:
- These past two years have taught me things books may never have taught me
- Every time you put someone on you gave me life
- The tape is coming
F.A: Any last words?
K.K: I’ll be back on Nov 24th with an old friend. I hope you’ll be expectant.
