Stories and facts

Emmanuel Andrews Sammini, popularly known as Samini, is a Ghanaian musician who hails from Wa in the Upper West Region.

His musical journey began at age 14 in a church choir and later developed into a professional career in 1999.

He rose to prominence with the release of his debut album Dankwasere in 2004, which dominated local charts and earned him two Ghana Music Awards. His hit single “Linda” further solidified his place as a rising force in Ghanaian music.

Between 2006 and 2008, Samini gained continental recognition, winning Best African Act at the 2006 MOBO Awards and African Artiste of the Year at The Headies in 2008.

His subsequent albums Samini (2007) and Dagaati (2008) further established him as a leading voice in African music.

Over the years, he performed alongside celebrated global artists such as Sean Paul, Akon, Shaggy, Damian Marley, and Beenie Man, touring the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Canada, and the Netherlands.

Samini is known for pioneering a unique blend of highlife, reggae, dancehall, and hip-hop, a sound he proudly calls “African Dancehall.” After beginning his career under Ashanti International, he later built his own independent label to shape this distinct identity.

Beyond music, Samini pursued higher education, earning a bachelor’s degree in Project Management from GIMPA, where he also served as SRC President.

In 2018, he marked a major milestone when he released his seventh studio album Untamed, which won the Reggaeville Album of the Year.

That same year, he was enskinned as Pebilii Naa, meaning King of the Rocks, by the Wa Naa in recognition of his contributions to culture and music.

Explore the life of Samini below.