Renowned Ghanaian highlife artist Kwabena Kwabena has unveiled a spiritual pivot in his musical career, releasing a six-track gospel EP titled God of Restoration.
The project marks his first foray into faith-driven music, departing from his signature love ballads that have defined his two-decade-long prominence in West Africa’s highlife scene.
The EP opens with “Faky3 Me” (Forgive Me), a soulful collaboration with celebrated gospel vocalist Obaapa Christy, blending traditional Ghanaian harmonies with contemporary gospel influences. Among the remaining tracks is a live reinterpretation of his 2016 hit “Bue Kwan,” now infused with spiritual themes and renewed lyrical depth. Kwabena Kwabena, known for emotive storytelling, described the project as a “declaration of devotion,” signaling a personal and artistic transformation ahead of his seventh studio album, which he confirmed will fully embrace gospel motifs.
Fans familiar with his earlier work, such as the chart-topping “Aso” and “Adult Music,” may find the shift striking, yet the EP retains his hallmark rich instrumentation and vocal warmth. The transition aligns with a broader trend among African artists exploring gospel later in their careers, often reflecting personal milestones or cultural reaffirmation.
God of Restoration arrives amid rising demand for gospel music in Ghana, where genres intersecting faith and tradition increasingly dominate airwaves. While Kwabena Kwabena has not explicitly cited external inspiration for his shift, colleagues speculate the move resonates with his recent public engagements emphasizing spiritual growth.
Kwabena Kwabena’s pivot underscores gospel music’s expanding influence in Africa’s creative economy, bridging generational and cultural divides. His evolution mirrors regional icons like Nigeria’s Sinach or South Africa’s Sipho Makhabane, who similarly transitioned to gospel after establishing mainstream success. For Kwabena Kwabena, the EP serves not only as a spiritual ode but also as a strategic recalibration a testament to gospel’s dual role as both personal expression and commercial force. While his highlife roots remain integral, this rebirth may redefine his legacy, positioning him within a lineage of artists whose later works resonate as deeply as their early acclaim.
