Afropopera Anthology Vol 1: Negro Spirituals is the first musical project released by a
multitalented Ghanaian musical group in Ghana.
The ensemble, which is a collaboration between core members Kokui Selormey Hanson (soprano, lead vocalist), Michael Dodoo (keyboardist, music director), Emmanuel ‘Fiifi Flawless’ Quayson (violin), Edmund Abrokwah (trumpet, saxophone), Joshua Bortey (drums) and Cornelius Manor (bass guitar), has embarked on a musical journey that fuses a variety of musical genres to produce its signature AFROPOPERA sound.
The group’s first EP is a collection of 7 Negro Spirituals, the emotional songs created by African American slaves hundreds of years ago. The release features stirring renditions of classic spirituals including Wade in the Water, Sometimes I feel like a Motherless Child and Every Time I Feel the Spirit.
KOKUI released this EP in June 2022 to coincide with Black Music Month and the Juneteenth celebration which is observed on 19 June each year in commemoration of the date when enslaved persons in the United States were emancipated.
As lead vocalist Kokui Selormey Hanson explains, “Negro Spirituals encapsulate the various emotions experienced
by our ancestors during their period of enslavement. Whether the theme of the song is about suffering, survival or salvation, there’s a spiritual that tells a unique and heart wrenching story of human resilience and strength of spirit.”
In addition to recording new musical projects and rehearsing for upcoming performances,
KOKUI is currently preparing for the group’s annual Christmas extravaganza, Nubian Noël. Afropopera Anthology Vol 1: Negro Spirituals is currently available on all major streaming platforms including Apple Music, Spotify, Boomplay, Audiomack, Deezer, Amazon Music and on the YouTube channel KOKUI TV.
