Emmanuel Kwesi Danso Arthur (born 18 December 1999), known professionally as Kwesi Arthur, is a Ghanaian rapper, singer and songwriter from Tema. He rose to fame in 2017 with the hit single "Grind Day", which received widespread acclaim, a co-sign and a chart-topping remix from rap heavyweights Sarkodie and Medikal. In 2019, his second EP, Live from Nkrumah Krom Vol II, garnered more than 2 million streams in the first week of its release.
Arthur has won several accolades, including Rapper of the year and Hip Hop Song of the year at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards as well as a Viewer's Choice Best International Act nomination at the 2018 BET Awards. He became the second Ghanaian rapper to be nominated for BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher after Sarkodie's nomination in 2019.
Early life and education Kwesi Arthur was born on 18 December 1999 in Tema. He was raised in Tema Community 9 and is the second of four children with a brother named Benjamin Danso Arthur, who is popularly known as Dayonthetrack and is also a musician. After completing his high school education at Temasco in 2013, Kwesi's plans of furthering his education to study psychology and law at the University of Ghana came to a standstill due to a lack of funds. This led the rapper to consider a job offer as a security guard in Tema.
Music career Kwesi Arthur was discovered by Ghanaian rapper and entrepreneur Sarkodie, whom he featured on one of his hit songs called "Grind Day", alongside Medikal.
Kwesi Arthur started writing raps after listening to Drake's debut album, Thank Me Later.
In 2017, he released the lead single "Grind Day" from his debut EP, Live from Nkrumah Krom (2017). The record was released under his independent outfit and supported by a social movement called GroundUp Chale. He later released the remix for "Grind Day", featuring Sarkodie and Medikal.
Kwesi Arthur has collaborated with numerous Ghanaian musicians, including Sarkodie, Medikal, KiDi, Jason E LA, R2Bees, B4bonah, M3dal, M.anifest, EL, Stonebwoy, Shatta Wale and South African rapper Nasty C and other musicians like Kofi Mole song title Mensah . He was nominated for Best International Act at the 2018 BET Awards.
Kwesi Arthur is one of the most successful artists in Ghana, with his music being internationally recognized and awarded. In 2020 his song "Live From The 233" was one of the most streamed African songs on the streaming service Apple Music.
Controversies And Law suit Glen Boateng, the founder of music company popularly cedis in damages over comments Kwesi Arthur made in a social media post in the month of January 2026.
Discography EPs Live from Nkrumah Krom (2017) This Is Not The Tape, Sorry 4 The Wait (2019) Live from Nkrumah Krom Vol II Home Run (2019) This Is Not The Tape, Sorry 4 The Wait II (2020) This Is Not The Tape III (2024)
Studio albums Son Of Jacob (2022) Redemption (2026)
Singles YearTitleProduction creditRef2017Grind DayKaysoGrind Day Remix feat Medikal and Sarkodie (rapper)2018AnthemBarking by Ramz2018Woara (meaning - It Is You)Shotto Blinkz2018Don't Keep Me Waiting feat KidiNytWulf2019ZombieTwoBars2020Turn On The LightsYung D3mz2020Live from 233Juiczxx2020Baajo feat JoeboyYung D3mz2021Winning feat Vic MensaJuiczxx2022Nirvana feat Kofi MoleJuiczxx2025Real Thing
Awards and nominations Ghana Music Awards YearRecipient/Nominated workAwardResultRef2018HimselfHip Hop Song of the YearHiplife/Hip Hop Artiste of the YearNew Artiste of the Year2021HimselfHiplife/HipHop Artist of the YearNominated HimselfInternational Collaboration of the Year
BET Awards YearRecipient/Nominated workAwardResultRef2018HimselfViewers Choice Best International Act
3 Music Awards YearRecipient/Nominated workAwardResultRef2019HimselfHip Hop Song of the YearHiplife/Hip Hop Artiste of the YearHiplife/Hip Hop Act of the YearSong of The YearMusic Man of The YearBreakthrough ActDigital Act of the YearHiplife Song of the yearBest Collaboration
References