Wanlov The Kubolor Uncovered!

Wanlov The Kubolor

Emmanuel Owusu-Bonsu

Biography:

Wanlov the Kubolor (Kubolor is a Ga word meaning vagabond) was born Emmanuel Owusu-Bonsu in Romania to an Ashanti man and a Romanian woman. He is the brother of Ghanaian model and TV show host Deborah Vanessa Owusu-Bonsu.

Wanlov Kubolor and sister Deborah Vanessa Owusu-Bonsu

Emmanuel Owusu-Bonsu is fluent in Twi, English, Romanian, and Pidgin. He began rapping his favorite lyrics with high school friends and performing the local circuit in Cape Coast & Takoradi, Ghana while attending Adisadel College.

Emmanuel Owusu-Bonsu (Spooky, Kofi Danso, & Koo Seke...Adisco Park during inter-co.)

ADISCO Boy Emmanuel Owusu-Bonsu

Known as Spooky, he was well known for his performances in which he emulated the stage personas from Busta Rhymes’ vivacious delivery to Snoop’s debonair flows. With his pure, unadulterated talent, charisma, and lyrical skill, he is taking his message of awareness, to the masses. Upon immediate arrival in the United States of America (to pursue higher education) Wanlov proved his skills in the freestyle circuit of the south. Within two years of residence in Temple, Texas, Wanlov, then still known as Spooky, won over the respect of local emcees in the Central Texas area.

Wanlov The Kubolor - the barefoot vagabond

Green Card by Wanlov The Kubolor

Wanlov’s widely acclaimed versatility is heard on his debut album “Green Card”, released in 2007 on his return to Ghana after a 7-year stay in the States. Being nominated at the 2008 Ghana Music Awards for “Discovery of The Year”, “Record of The Year”, “Video of The Year” & “Hip Hop Song of The Year”, shows that Kubolor’s contribution has made a strong impression on his people. Already being referred to as a classic in less than a year since its release, Kubolor’s debut album, “Green Card”, went on to capture the hearts and minds of the people the world over.

K'naan and Wanlov da Kubolor - New York

Wanlov has collaborated and shared stages with Femi Kuti, The Gorillaz, Nneka, Bashy, Zwai Balas, Reggie Rockstone, Little Brother and more. He has been featured on BBC 1XTRA, BBC World, BBC Network Africa and Al Jazeera’s “Playlist”. He is part of an Afropop duo known as the FOKN Bois made up of himself and M3nsa. Together the FOKN Bois wrote and star in the world’s first Pidgen Musical Film titled “Coz Ov Moni” which is touring cinemas and film festivals around the world.

Discography:

Album – “Green Card” – 2007 – Pidgen Music

Single – “Never Die” – 2007 – Fader Label

Single – “Gentleman” – M.anifest ft Wanlov the Kubolor – 2007

Single – “Welcome to the Motherland” – Wanlov the Kubolor ft Young Kof & DJ Ritchy Pitch.

Awards:

2006 WCS International Song Contest – Winner (World) – “Human Being”

2006 International Songwriting Competition – Finalist (World) – “Never Die”

2007 Peacedriven Songwriting Award – Runner Up – “Human Being”

2008 Ghana Music Awards – Nominated for Discovery Of The Year, Record Of The Year (Smallest Time), Video Of The Year (Kokonsa), & Hiphop Song Of The Year (Kokonsa)

Links:
Wanlov’s Youtube
Wanlov’s Myspace
Wanlov’s Facebook
Wanlov’s Twitter