Ghanaian highlife sensation Nketia is fast becoming a household name across Africa—especially in South Sudan, where his music is not only widely loved but has also become a symbol of national celebration.
In an exclusive interview with Radio Univers’s Kvng Kelly on At The DJ’s Mercy on Friday, July 25th, 2025, Nketia shared how music became his ultimate form of self-expression, allowing him to pour out what words often fail to communicate. “Music means a lot to me because it helps me to express myself in some of the things that I cannot put into words, so… It’s how I connect with people,” he said.
From Ghana to South Sudan: A cross-continental Highlife journey
Although based in Ghana, Nketia has already made remarkable inroads across the African continent, performing in countries such as Nigeria, Liberia, South Sudan, Morocco, and others. His extensive touring across East and North Africa stems largely from collaborations with musicians in those regions. He credits his South Sudanese manager, Zion, for opening doors in those territories.
“Whenever there’s a major festival happening in countries like South Sudan, I’m called upon to perform. It’s through these collaborations that I’ve become a name out there,” he said.
One of Nketia’s most iconic songs, Welcome to South Sudan, has become an anthem in the East African nation. The song, which celebrates the country’s spirit and resilience, is even used during their Independence Day celebrations, a milestone that landed Nketia on the New York Times Square billboard.
Stream Welcome to South Sudan on YouTube:
Music rooted in Highlife but with a twist
Despite his global appeal, Nketia remains true to his highlife roots, crediting Ghanaian legends such as Kojo Antwi, Daddy Lumba, and Jamaican legend Bob Marley as his greatest influences. However, he admits many are often shocked when he tells them he’s a highlife artist.
“A lot of people are surprised because I’m young. They think highlife is for the old generation,” he said. “But I do my highlife differently. If you listen to Yes I Do, the beat sounds like hip-hop or R&B, but the lyrics and melody carry the soul of highlife. I modernise it.”
Nketia also attributes his lyrical depth to time spent with his grandmother during childhood vacations, which helped him perfect his use of deep, poetic Twi, a staple in his music.
Alcohol
His latest track, Alcohol, may raise eyebrows, but Nketia is quick to explain that it’s not about drinking. Instead, it symbolises isolation, frustration, and seeking refuge when life becomes overwhelming.
“The song comes from a place of experience. It’s not about drinking per se, but rather about running to something when you’re down and need space,” he explained.
A Producer in His Own Right
Beyond singing, Nketia is also a skilled music producer, having produced Alcohol himself. He proudly credits his journey to the influence of producers like Ubeatz and Benvej Digital Studios, as well as the knowledge he gained from YouTube tutorials. He admits that if he weren’t an artist, he would still be involved in music as a full-time producer.
From New York Billboards to Presidential stages
One of Nketia’s proudest moments came when he was invited to perform on a massive stage in South Sudan for an event held in honour of the President. Sharing the stage with PSquare, he was one of only two West African artists billed to perform—a feat he considers a defining moment in his career.
“My biggest achievement was performing at a presidential event in South Sudan with PSquare. It reminded me that my music had truly crossed borders.”
Nketia’s rise proves that highlife is far from fading—it’s evolving, modernising, and finding new life in unexpected places, from Ghana to South Sudan to the streets of New York.
A growing global audience
Nketia’s music is resonating far beyond Ghana. Analytics from streaming platforms show that the majority of his listeners are from the United States, followed by Ghana and then South Sudan. He attributes the massive South Sudanese support to his song Welcome to South Sudan, which has become something of a national anthem there.
“In America, it’s surprising—I get a lot of streams from there. Ghana comes second, and South Sudan third. Welcome to South Sudan is my most listened-to song because it’s for the entire country. They even use it during their Independence Day celebrations,” he revealed.
Stream Alcohol on all music platforms:
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Story by Kelvin B. Annor-Yeboah | univers.ug.edu.gh
