Contrary to the perception that Kumerica is solely associated with hip-hop, one of its founding members, Tony Dath, has emphasized that the movement extends beyond the American genre.
Citing himself as an example, he noted that Kumerica embraces various musical styles, including Ghana’s indigenous highlife, which he personally represents.
Speaking with Andy Dosty on Daybreak Hitz, Tony Dath explained why he chose to focus on highlife, despite Kumerica being widely known for hip-hop.
“I’m a co-founder of Kumerica. Kumerica itself lost its identity to different camps, and we that owned it were not mature enough. Kumerica brought us here; it is what brought me here,” he said.
He further stated that the movement has been an eye-opener for musicians, inspiring him to showcase his highlife brand.
“Kumerica came to open our eyes, even though we didn’t use it well. But while doing interviews about Kumerica, we always said it was a channel for musicians, just like Kumawood is for the movie industry. So Kumerica is not just about hip-hop, but they championed it at the time because they had the audience. But now is the time to correct that perception—through me, Tony Dath,” he explained.
Tony Dath’s remarks shed light on the Kumerica movement’s impact on Ghanaian music. As a co-founder, he aims to redefine the narrative, asserting that Kumerica is not limited to hip-hop and rap but encompasses a broader spectrum of musical expression.