The late Charles Kwadwo Fosu, also known as Daddy Lumba
Ghana’s musical demigod Charles Kwadwo Fosu, also known as Daddy Lumba, has joined his ancestors at the age of 60, drawing the curtain on an enchanting career.
The year 2025 could go down as one of the darkest years in Ghana’s musical history with the tragic passing of Daddy Lumba and also Dada KD, who also died a few weeks ago.
Yes, of course, death is inevitable for living things, and Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 states, “To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and time to die.”
This biblical verse could perhaps serve as deep consolation for the millions of Daddy Lumba fans all around the world, but certainly his musical immortality is certain.
At the age of 16, Daddy Lumba emerged onto Ghana’s musical scene in the 1980s, when highlife music was very popular and had many greats dominating the scene.
It would be a stern task for young Daddy Lumba to make a breakthrough, but he formed his band, the Lumba Brothers, to test the competitive highlife scene.
Together with his lookalike friend Ernest Nana Acheampong, the Lumba Brother announced their presence in Highlife music with the release of their debut album, “Yeey3 Aka Akwantuo.”
That was just the beginning of an illustrious music career that would culminate in the release of 33 albums and a legendary catalogue of timeless hit songs for both old and young generations.
At his peak, Daddy Lumba was the music machine, and his voice resonated in every Ghanaian household as he dropped hits upon hits.
His “Aben Wo Ha” song has been considered by many as one of the greatest hit songs of all time and continues to enjoy massive airplay.
Daddy Lumba has created many magic moments for many Highlife music lovers and has always been in the conversation that he is perhaps Ghana’s greatest musicians of all time.
Former President of Ghana Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who had a personal relationship with Daddy Lumba, opined that his is one of the greatest musicians to have ever lived.
“Daddy Lumba, as we affectionately call him, was a pantheon among musical greats of all time and had a special connection with his fans and the entire world,” said former President Akufo-Addo.
Akufo-Addo’s assertions are re-echoed by his successor, President John Dramani Mahama, who described Daddy Lumba’s talent as an irreplaceable loss to Ghana.
“Lumba’s unmatched musical genius provided the soundtrack to our lives, carrying us through various phases of life.
“The beats to his memorable songs may have died down, but his enduring legacy will echo through the ages,” said President Mahama.
Daddy Lumba’s music appeal indeed transcended borders, and his recent royal recognition, having been featured in King Charles III’s Special Play, further cements his global appeal.
He was also an inspirational figure for a recent crop of Ghanaian musicians who always thanked him for his massive influence on their careers.
One such musician is Highlife star Kaakyire Kwame Fosu, also known as KK Fosu, who confessed that Daddy Lumba inspired him to take up the Highlife genre.
“Growing up as a young guy, I always looked up to Daddy Lumba because he was a body of musical excellence, and I learnt a lot from him.
“From how he composes his music, especially generating love themes, it was certainly magical, and he has indeed lived a great life in music,” said KK Fosu.
As Daddy Lumba, in his “Ankwanoma” hit song, said, “Ankwanoma mede mekra abo afodee o, meeye nee metumi biaa me mmre so aa na meko oo,” forerold the end of the golden era he personified.
The music legend has clearly done his part to thrive Highlife music, and it behooves on the young generation to sustain the genre for the future generations.