YFM’s annual Ankaase Lakeside Party will spotlight Ashanti Region’s rap talent in its fifth edition, with chart-topping artists Strongman and O’Kenneth set to lead a lineup celebrating Kumasi’s booming hip-hop scene.
Scheduled for April 21, 2025, the event aims to amplify local voices while offering camping experiences and pre-event activities at the lakeside venue in Ghana’s Ashanti Region.
Ernest Opoku, Y102.5FM’s Event Manager, highlighted the cultural shift driving this year’s focus. “Kumasi’s rappers are no longer just local acts they’re national stars,” he said, referencing past struggles to secure headliners from the region. Strongman, known for tracks like Pilolo and Bossu, will anchor the festival with his high-energy performances, while O’Kenneth of the Asakaa Music Group brings hits such as Lonely Road and Agyeiwaa.
Beyond music, organizers have expanded the event into a weekend retreat. Camping options available from April 19 will allow attendees to explore lakeside trails and stargaze ahead of the main concert. Nathaniel Osei Kufuor, YFM-Kumasi’s General Manager, described the setup as a “transformative getaway,” blending entertainment with nature immersion.
The festival underscores Kumasi’s growing influence in Ghana’s music industry, particularly through the Asakaa drill movement, which has gained international traction since the late 2010s. Earlier editions of the Ankaase Lakeside Party primarily featured highlife and Afrobeats acts, but the 2025 pivot to rap reflects demand for genre diversity and youth-driven content. Similar shifts have been observed at events like the Kumasi Cultural Festival, where hip-hop segments now draw larger crowds than traditional performances.
Critics, however, question whether infrastructure at rural venues like Ankaase can sustainably accommodate expanding festivals. Past events in the Ashanti Region have faced logistical hurdles, including overcrowding and limited amenities. YFM’s decision to introduce camping a novelty in Ghana’s festival circuit will test organizational capacity and safety protocols.
As Ghana’s entertainment industry increasingly decentralizes, with hubs like Kumasi and Tamale rivaling Accra’s dominance, events like the Lakeside Party highlight regional cultural economies. Success here could inspire similar initiatives, though stakeholders stress the need for public-private partnerships to address funding and logistical gaps. With tickets already in demand, the 2025 edition may set a precedent for hyper-localized, genre-specific festivals reshaping Ghana’s live music landscape.
