Stories and facts
Kweku Smoke, born Paul Amankwah, has emerged as one of Ghana’s boldest voices in hip-hop. While many expected him to become a lawyer, his love for rap music began at an early age. As the youngest in his family, he often tagged along with his older brother to the studio.
Watching his brother rap sparked something in him, and soon he was memorizing lyrics and dropping his own bars.
After attending Victory International for basic school, Benkum Senior High, and later KNUST, Kweku Smoke began to focus fully on music.
While in senior high, he and his friends created their own music studio and began recording as a group called FlowMotion. In 2015, he released a song with Flowking Stone, but the project did not gain much attention due to what he later described as poor management.
By 2018, he was performing under the name YRS and releasing freestyles online. His turning point came in 2019 when a studio meeting with musician Nana Boro led to an introduction to Ghanaian rap legend Sarkodie.
Sarkodie was impressed and gave Kweku Smoke a public endorsement on social media. Their first collaboration, a track titled “Yedin,” quickly became a fan favorite and introduced Kweku Smoke to a wider audience.
Since then, Kweku Smoke has grown into a confident and outspoken rapper. His music blends Twi, pidgin, and English, often weaving through hip-hop, drill, and Afrobeat. His debut album, Born in Hell, received praise for its energy and originality.
In 2019, Kweku Smoke made headlines when he accused Shatta Wale of stealing his song. He later claimed he was attacked by some of Shatta’s associates. Instead of staying silent, he responded with a diss track, cementing his image as a fearless artist unafraid to defend his work.
Now in 2025, Kweku Smoke and Sarkodie have reunited for a new track titled Violence. Released on June 13, the song is already gaining momentum on streaming platforms. Produced by MOG Beatz, the single brings together two generations of Ghanaian rap talent in a fierce and unforgettable collaboration.
From freestyling in school studios to working alongside Ghana’s biggest stars, Kweku Smoke’s rise has been both inspiring and intense. And with new music like Violence, he shows no signs of slowing down.
Explore the life of Kweku Smoke below.
