Rapper Kwaw Kese, famously known as the “King of the Streets,” has stated that he has now tonned down on his once-fiery approach to music, noting that he is now allowing new artists portraying his style to thrive.

This comes to assure his fans that he has not given up on music, but he is working behind the scenes to catch up with new trends.

“I haven’t stopped music. But I’m not going crazy like I used to because there are new faces. We have to give them a chance to do their thing. But we still do our thing and try to penetrate through the Gen Zs with our software," Kwaw Kese revealed in a chat on Showbiz 360 with Giovani Caleb monitored by MyNewsGh.

For the 38-year-old musician, reinvention has been about more than just releasing new songs, it’s about maintaining relevance while respecting the legacy of his earlier work.

He described his iconic period as “part of the brand that happened… you can’t have it all the time, but it happened, and I experienced it. It was good.”

Kwaw Kese also reflected on how his older fans, now busy with family and careers, have given way to a younger audience eager to embrace his music. Yet, he remains confident that his “madman” persona still resonates.

“I’m the official madman for the Ghana music industry… nobody can take that,” he said proudly.

Abodam, shared a compelling account of his early struggles and determination to pursue his music dreams in an exclusive interview on Daybreak Hitz at Hitz FM.The "Awoyoo Sofo" artist reminisces about the challenging days when he traversed significant distances, specifically walking from Ashaiman to North Kaneshie, just to lay down tracks.

Reflecting on the formative years that shaped his unique identity, Kwaw Kese unveiled that his distinctive stage name was born out of the arduous foot journeys he undertook."I used to walk from Ashaiman to North Kaneshie to Hush Hush Studios. At that time, I realised my life then and that of a madman was the same. I was building the brand, and I was like a mad man. I built myself around that, and people easily bought into it," he revealed.

Addressing the challenges he faced, the rapper candidly discussed the stigma associated with individuals sporting dreadlocks during that era."Back then, if you had dreadlocks, people didn’t want to associate themselves with you, but now they understand and know it’s a brand," he adds.

Despite encountering resistance, Kwaw Kese emphasized that his tenacity and distinct brand identity ultimately led to his recognition and earned him respect within the music industry.

The Award-winning Ghanaian Hiplife artiste passionately advocated for official government recognition on his 20th anniversary in the music industry.The 'Awoyo Sofo' hitmaker believes that his substantial contributions to the Ghanaian music scene warrant acknowledgment at the national level.

With a career spanning two decades, Kwaw Kese emphasised that he has not only entertained but also played a pivotal role in shaping the country's musical landscape.Known for his lyrical prowess and unique sound, the artist has consistently delivered hit songs that resonate with diverse audiences.

Beyond his musical achievements, Kwaw Kese has been a vocal advocate for the rights and welfare of musicians, addressing critical issues within the industry.During the interview, he expressed his desire for official recognition, asserting, "I have been in the industry for 20 years, and it has been a back-to-back something. I believe I deserve to be honoured nationally by the government."

The artist reflected on the evolution of the music industry since his entry, noting the transformative impact he had on the scene.Despite feeling that he hasn't received enough acknowledgement for his contributions, Kwaw Kese takes pride in his achievements, asserting, "For 'flowers,' I haven't received enough, but to myself, I'm proud of myself."As Kwaw Kese celebrates his 20th year in the industry, the artist remains hopeful that his plea for government recognition will be heard.

Fans and industry stakeholders are now watching to see if the government will officially honour the Hiplife icon for his lasting impact on Ghanaian music.

He has declared his intention to take legal action against the Ghana Police Service, asserting that his 2014 arrest for alleged public marijuana smoking was unjust.In an exclusive interview on Hitz FM, Kwaw Kese claimed the police lacked evidence for his arrest and treated him unfairly.

Asserting that he possesses evidence implicating foreign nationals openly smoking with police protection, the musician disclosed his plans, alongside his legal representation, to seek a $1 million compensation from the Police Service for his 2015 arrest and conviction.

"There’s nothing to show to prove that I was smoking [in public]. I can show you proof of foreign nationals smoking in public with police protecting them with guns. Ghana Police did not treat me right, and these are some of the things I see and I say that Ghana police service did not treat me right," Kwaw Kese stated in the interview with host Andy Dosty.

Expressing his belief that the ordeal he faced during his police custody was undeserved, Kwaw Kese emphasised the impact on his music career, which brings joy to his fans.The Hiplife musician, arrested in November 2014 for cannabis smoking, is determined to seek justice and financial compensation for what he perceives as an unjust experience.

High Court judge William Boampong sentenced Kwaw Kese to a day in jail in April 2015 and ordered him to pay a fine of Gh¢1,200.

The musician was on remand for over a month at the Kumasi Central Prison before being bailed on December 30, 2014.

During the Year of Return in 2020, Kwaw Kese expressed his displeasure when Jamaican musician Popcaan was seen smoking what was suspected to be marijuana publicly while touring Ghana with no subsequent action from the Police.

“Only in Ghana foreigners can f**k up like this. When @kwawkese smoked in public he was arrested. So this means our law set only to control on the citizens but foreigners are free to go. The most painful part is Ghana police. None of them was able to speak the truth out because of the small coins which will be given out … Ooh Ghana,” Kwaw Kese had said at the time.