AJ Nelson
AJ Nelson in 2023
Background information
Birth nameAdjei Nelson Otumfour
Also known asAJ Nelson
Born (1985-05-05) May 5, 1985
Dormaa Ahenkro, Brong Ahafo Region, Ghana
GenresHiplife, Hip hop
Occupation(s)Rapper
Instrumentsvocals
Years active2009–present
LabelsCorna Rock Entertainment
Websiteajnelsonworld.com

Adjei Nelson Otumfour (born 5 May 1985), better known by his stage name AJ Nelson is a Ghanaian recording artist and activist. He is most famous for the singles “Same Girl,” “Faith” and “Power to the People”. He was the first Ghanaian musician to rap in Bono language. [1] In 2015, AJ Nelson released the song titled “Power To the People” [2] and lead a campaign in Ghana to encourage youths not only from Ghana but also from other parts of Africa to speak against the corruption and conflicts the continent is engulfed in and hold their political leaders accountable. According to AJ Nelson, the people most affected need to be empowered to voice their thoughts out to their leaders.[3] The campaign got the attention of top Ghanaian personalities including the renowned Head of Global Parliamentary Engagement at World Bank, Mr. Kofi Tsikata and media personality Berla Mundi who both joined the campaign.[4] In November 2015, the song was ranked the 3rd most downloaded Ghanaian Hiphop Song on iTunes. AJ Nelson was ranked the 3rd top-selling artist on iTunes in November 2015.[5]

Life and career

Early life

Adjei Nelson Otumfour was born in Dormaa Ahenkro, Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana. He is the 5th of 7 children born to Mrs. Agnes Isha Yeboa Mensah and Mr. Mohammed Amoani Mensah. He attended the Saint Dominic School. He started writing his own songs at age 14 and started performing in High Schools and community shows. AJ Nelson later attended IPMC College of Technology in Accra, where he studied Web & Graphic design.

Musical career

AJ Nelson first began to gain recognition at the start of 2009 when he featured on a welcome song for the 44th president of the United States of America, Barack Obama's visit to Ghana. The song featured prominently on television channels across Africa.[6] After releasing singles including his debut mainstream hit, “Same Girl” featuring Quabena Maphia in September 2010. He subsequently released a second single titled “Dream” in 2011, which did not have a lot of commercial success compared to its forerunner. In the last quarter of 2011, he released a third single, titled “Faith” featuring Ghanaian-American singer, and songwriter based in New York City, Jay Ghartey. Faith became a major success with the music video enjoying daily airplay on several television channels in Africa including MTV Base.[7] In 2015, AJ Nelson released “Power to the People” featuring Ghanaian international Wiyaala under the label, Corna Rock Entertainment.[8] Power to the people was ranked 3rd on iTunes list of top-selling Ghanaian Hiphop artists alongside fellow rappers Sarkodie and Obrafuor. In November 2015, “Power to the People” was the only Ghanaian song listed in the list of Best New Music of The Week on Wepluggoodmusic.com.[9] AJ Nelson was later nominated as 2016 Ghana Carnival ambassador.[10] In 2019, AJ Nelson became the first Ghanaian rapper to start his own band. He started touring and performing at venues in and out of Accra, the capital city of Ghana. The band is named, Band Afriq, which literally means Band of Africa. AJ Nelson has collaborated with artists from different parts of the world including AJ Omo Alaja from Nigeria, Nelson Manora from Congo Brazzaville, Valentine Alvares from Togo/France, and O'hene Savant from the United States. He has also worked with Kesse, Jupiter, Epixode, Tinny, Richie Mensah, Worlasi, Edem, and Ayat.

Album

In October 2018, AJ Nelson announced his debut album titled "Africa Rise" [11] The album, which consists of sixteen tracks, featured Ghanaian acts, Cabum, Che Che, Worlasi, Ayat, Kliff Wonder and Guinea's Miking on Marafagni which literally means Love. The album was recorded live and emphasized the messages of Peace, Love, Hope and togetherness . The 16 tracks album was officially released on November 23.[12]

Album Tracklist

  • "Kwanto" ft Kliff Wonder [13]
  • "Forward" ft Worlasi [14]
  • "Brother" feat. Cheche & Suzzy Blaq (Prod. by Cheche) [15]
  • "How Come" feat. Ohene Savant (Prod. by Cheche)
  • "I No Go Lie" (Prod. by Ohene Savant)
  • "Africa Rise" feat. Suzzy Blaq (Prod. by Genius Selection)
  • "Beautiful" feat. Jay Smalls (Prod. by Cheche)
  • "Marafagni (Love)" feat. Miking (Prod. by Cheche)
  • "I Pray" feat. Ayat (Prod. by Shizzy)
  • "Bibia" feat. Dee Tutu (Prod. by Azee Burner) [16]
  • "Tomorrow" (Prod. by Cheche)
  • "Weytin" feat. Cabum, De’ Lion & Lala (Prod. by Cabum)
  • "Mansa Ba" feat. Cheche (Prod. by Ohene Savant)
  • "V.O.A" (Prod. by Cheche)
  • "Message" (Prod. by Azee Burner)
  • "I Dey Here" (Prod. by Cheche)

Personal life

AJ Nelson is married to Salome Nelson Adjei since 2015.[17][18]

Performance

AJ Nelson has performed at the Afrobeat festival where he shared the stage with Lauren Hill, Edem, EL, M.anifest, Uncle Ebo Tailor, AB Crentsil, Okyeame Kwame, and Wiyaala. He also performed at the Asabaako festival, one of the biggest festivals in West Africa, and the Sabolai radio festival.[19] He has performed at 4 Syte Music Video Awards, the maiden Ghana Fashion Awards, and Sarkodie's Rapperholic album launch. AJ Nelson also joined on Okyeame Kwame's "OK in Your Zone" tour and on his “Clinic” album launch.[20][21][22]

Discography

Year Song/Album Ref
2022 GuyGuy [23]
2016 Power To The People Featuring Wiyaala [24]
2015 Pain [25]

References

  1. ↑ "AJ Nelson [Profile]". RudeBoi. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  2. ↑ "'Power to the people is a cultural expression' – AJ Nelson". Kasapreko FM. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  3. ↑ "We Have Extreme Power - AJ Nelson". ModernGhana. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  4. ↑ "Kofi Tsikata, Wiyaala join power to the people campaign". News Ghana. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  5. ↑ "#Ghana iTunesChart: Becca, Sonnie Badu, AJ Nelson, Sarkodie, Obrafuor are the TOP selling artists on iTunes This Week". Ghanaflow. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  6. ↑ "AJ Nelson's New Single-FAITH, Featuring Jay Ghartey". Ghana showbiz. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  7. ↑ "A.J Nelson features Jay Ghartey on new single, 'Faith'". Ameyaw Debrah. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  8. ↑ "AJ Nelson, Wiyaala to 'Empower The World' on Nov. 24". Ghanaweb. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  9. ↑ "Best New Music Of The Week // November 23 – November 29, 2015". wepluggoodmusic. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  10. ↑ "AJ Nelson, Stonebwoy and Wiyaala nominated as 2016 Ghana Carnival ambassadors". News Ghana. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  11. ↑ "AJ Nelson has finally announced his debut album, titled "Africa Rise"". PulseGhana. Archived from the original on 5 December 2018. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  12. ↑ "AJ Nelson delivers Afrocentric positivity with debut album". rebtel.com. Oral Ofori. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  13. ↑ "Kwanto (feat. Cliff Wonder)". itunes.apple.com. Apple Music. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  14. ↑ "Forward ft Worlasi". itunes.apple.com. Apple Music. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  15. ↑ "Brother ft Suzz Blaq". itunes.apple.com. Apple Music. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  16. ↑ "Bibia ft Dee Tutu". itunes.apple.com. Apple Music. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  17. ↑ "Rapper AJ Nelson ties the knot with girlfriend Sally Bakah". David Mawuli. Pulse.Com.Gh. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
  18. ↑ "Rapper AJ Nelson to become Woodin's next brand ambassador?". David Mawuli. Pulse Ghana. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
  19. ↑ "Hip-hop Act Talks About Togo Tour Experiences, Future Collaborations And More". David Mawuli. Pulse Ghana. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  20. ↑ "Wanlov, Flowking Stone, AJ Nelson, Eno, others to rock Kasoa Jan. 16". Pulse Ghana. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
  21. ↑ "Video: NanaYaa, Worlasi, AJ Nelson, Pappy Kojo rocks Republic Bar". Ghanaweb. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
  22. ↑ "Wiyaala, AJ Nelson & Dark Suburb to rock +233 Jazz Bar & Grill Dec. 12". Pulse Ghana. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
  23. ↑ "Video AJ Nelson releases official trailer for "Power To The People" featuring Wiyaala". Pulse Ghana. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  24. ↑ "Video AJ Nelson releases official trailer for "Power To The People" featuring Wiyaala". Pulse Ghana. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  25. ↑ "Video AJ Nelson – Pain". Pulse Ghana. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
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