Paapa Wastik is a conscious African roots-life reggae artist whose musical talent began around the tender age of five in his hometown of Cape Coast, Ghana where music is a predominant part of his culture.
He grew up surrounded by a variety of music and as a child was often heard singing the popular songs of that era' on makeshift drums. With this passion for music he became a self-taught drummer, and began drumming in church.
By elementary school he was attending music concerts and participating in singing competitions which encouraged him to begin writing his own lyrics. In 1997, Paapa Wastik was spotted by MC Poncho of "Music for Your Dancing Feet Fame", and given an honorable recognition of his talent, when he performed alongside Reggie Rockstone at the Panafest Beach party which was held near Cape Coast, Ghana.
This local notoriety earned him invites to regional youth entertainment talent shows, and sparked his interest in organizing music and talent shows around the Cape Coast municipalities such as "Obaa Sima 98".
In secondary school he was well known for representing in inter-regional school talent shows and musical activities. In addition to talent shows he was frequently invited to several radio stations to "flow on rhythms", and to host programs with presenters.
During his secondary school days at Mfantsipim School, he enthusiastically wanted to release his first album. But, due to academic responsibilities, he postponed his musical pursuits. It was during that time that his faith in RASTAFARI became stronger, so naturally his musical talent became fully devoted to delivering consciously uplifting and positive messages, charged with the purpose of educating and healing humanity.
By 2002 Paapa Wastik was featured on "Top Radio Street Carnival," which left the crowd with a lasting impression, as a result of his energetic stage performance. Within that year Paapa continued the efforts toward releasing his first album "Mama Africa", which was recorded with engineer John Dee at Hits Factory Studios, in Accra.
The release of this album pioneered a new genre of music called "Roots-Life Music", a fusion of reggae, soca, soul, highlife and African classical/traditional music. The year the album was released, the single hits "Ama" which is a love song and Ntoma Kata Adieso gained airplay on national radio stations. The hit track "Ntoma Kata Adieso" which came with a compelling music video that spoke as a vivid commentary of what Paapa Wastik saw as "corruption" in the society. The video for "Ntoma kata adieso" was featured on Ghana national television and other West African networks.
Also in 2003 Paapa Wastik was invited to perform at the annual "Panafest", an internationally acclaimed Pan-African Festival. Within the same year the international reggae production group "Greenlion Sounds" teamed up with Paapa Wastik to produce some songs, which was featured on "Greenlion in Ghana" CD mix.
Making progressive steps in his talent and music mission, Paapa Wastik crossed over to the United States where he established an independent record label, Asaase Music Foundation.
In 2006 Rommi Records joined forces with Paapa Wastik to work on the album "Thanks and Praise", which includes single hits "M'akoma mu Hemaa" and "Fire Burn Dem". This album was recorded at Tuff Gong Studios in Kingston, Jamaica with notable artists like Bongo Herman, Lutan Fyah, and Jah Marcus.
In promotion of the album, Paapa Wastik was the headliner on the opening night of the "Northwest World Reggae Festival 2007" in Eugene, Oregon USA. He gave stellar performances at the "Lafayette Reggae & Cultural Festival 07" in Lafayette Louisiana, the "Victoria Ska Festival 07" in BC Canada; and the "Arts, Roots and Culture Showcase 07" in portland Oregon. Paapa Wastik shared the stage with Reggae legends like Abyssinians, The Itals, Lucky Dube, Everton Blender, Admiral Tibet, Junior Reid, Winston Jarret, Luciano, Mickey General, Anthony B, The Marley Family and also hip-hop legend KRS1.
In addition to promoting the album "Thanks & Praise", he founded the "Support the Needy Children Project" an international NGO/ Non-Profit/ Charity. Aimed at supporting children and communities educational needs, with the support of books, school fees, desks, and other school supplies. '
In August of 2008 he performed at the Club Umoja @"Reggae Rising Music Festival" in California which also featured artists like Capleton, Luciano, Lutan Fyah, Norrisman, The Original Wailers, Tony Rebel, ASWAD, Freddie McGregor, Gentleman, Queen Ifrica along many others. Also in 2008 performed at the "NW World Music Festival" in Oregon along with Junior Reid, Michael Rose, Chezidek, Tuff Lion, Warrior King and Queen Omega.
In late 2008 Paapa Wastik re-launched the Album "THANKS AND PRAISE" in Ghana, and in 2009 the single hit "Makoma Mu Hemaa" was nominated for "Best Reggae song of the year" at the "Ghana Music Awards 2009".
In 2010, Paapa Wastik was the headliner for the "Unification Tour" which occurred along five cities in california, he also performed alongside with Jamaican reggae artists Turbulence and I-Wayne in Portland and Seattle, as well as the 'Trodding East Tour' which was along the US east coast.
In the same year Paapa Wastik and Qausu AsaaseYaa(co-chef) participated in the Vegan Iron Chef Competition which took place in Portland Oregon(USA) and was crowned the winner of Vegan Iron Chef 2010.
In Novermber 2010 he headlined The 80th Coronation Celebration of Haile Selassie i & Empress Menen Show" which was held at Akuma Village in Accra Ghana.
In early 2011, Paapa Wastik in collaboration with Earthly Body Products (a company in california) organized the "Support The Needy Children Project Soccer Tournament" to donate jersey's, soccer ball, books, pens and other school supplies to four rural schools in the central region of Ghana.
STNCP' is now in the incubation stages of actualizing its visions of building a Community Eco-Village that will serve as a gathering space for youth to plant and harvest their creative abilities, as well as encouraging communal environmental sustainability projects. From 2006 onward 'STNCP' has made a number of presentations to schools in Ghana's Central Region. .
In May 2011, Paapa Wastik released the single hits Serious Times, Do Good, Babylon System and Yentem which is on the upcoming album "UNITY FOR AFRICA" featuring Jamaican Reggae artist Jah Mason. He also released the music videos for the tracks 'Yen Tem' 'Serious Times' and Babylon System which is currently in rotation on Ghana radio/TV stations, as well as other networks.
In the same month, Paapa Wastik was one of the headliners for the "African Liberation Day Concert" held at Tawala Beach in Accra Ghana.
Currently, Paapa Wastik is in the United States, getting ready for the release of his upcoming album UNITY FOR AFRICA… Watch out for "UNITY FOR AFRICA TOUR" in the states, province,city or town near you!!!
According to Paapa Wastik, music should uplift, empower, inspire, educate and encourage people in a positive way". In essence "that is what Roots-Life music is about".
View Paapa Wastik's EPK
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SongDownloadPriceAlbumBurn Dem Feat. Lutan Fyah$0.99[Single]Teach the Youth$0.99[Single]Home Sweet Home$0.99[Single]Makoma mu Hemaa$0.99[Single]Who Dem$0.99[Single]Be Serious$0.99[Single]Thanks and Praise$0.99[Single]We Need Love$0.99[Single]Why$0.99[Single]Empress$0.99[Single]Woman$0.99[Single]Empress Remix$0.99[Single]Too many Confusion$0.99[Single]Life feat.Johnny Green$0.99[Single]Mama Africa(Soka Version)$0.99[Single]Ayeyi Nwom feat KasahareOgya(Ghana Version)$0.99[Single]Enye Rushing(feat.KasahareOgya & Nkonyaa of Bobile Boys Ghan$0.99[Single]High Time Girl$0.99[Single]Mame Abena$0.99[Single]Ntoma Katadieso$0.99[Single]Ama$0.99[Single]Powered by iSOUND.COM
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