Bernard Kwarteng, known professionally as Kwartengg, is a Ghanaian artist whose work moves fluidly across music, fashion, and film. Based in Kumasi, he represents a new generation of contemporary creatives who are reshaping how Ghanaian culture is experienced and understood—both at home and around the world.
Kwartengg’s creative journey began back in high school, where his early love for music quickly grew into a lifelong pursuit of self-discovery and artistic expression. For over a decade, he’s dedicated himself to refining his craft, drawing inspiration from personal experiences and the cultural influences that continue to shape his artistic vision. His time studying for a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) deepened his connection to Ghana’s artistic and cultural heritage, grounding his creativity in both tradition and experimentation.
Having lived in different parts of Ghana, Kwartengg has absorbed the country’s cultural diversity, and that immersion reflects deeply in his work. His sound isn’t limited by one genre—it’s a constant evolution of Ghanaian rhythms, melodies, and storytelling styles, reimagined through a modern lens that connects with listeners everywhere.
But Kwartengg’s creativity extends far beyond music. He treats art as an interconnected practice, merging sound with fashion and visual storytelling. His interest in style and film gives his work a multidimensional edge—each project feels like a complete sensory experience, where the visuals, sounds, and emotions all speak to one another.
At the core of his artistry lies an exploration of identity, place, and time—how tradition meets innovation, and how contemporary Ghanaian creativity exists in dialogue with the wider world. With every release, he pushes boundaries and shapes a unique language of expression that is personal yet universally resonant.
In 2020, Kwartengg released his debut project, IRED EP, a seven-track body of work that captured the struggles, contradictions, and daily realities of Ghanaian life. The project tackled themes such as youth unemployment, the hustle for financial stability, the exploitation of faith, and the unchecked greed of the elite. IRED EP wasn’t about offering solutions—it was an honest reflection of life as he saw it, a sonic diary of frustration, resilience, and truth.
Building on that foundation, Kwartengg went on to create the Akatafour Dwom series—a hip-hop-driven exploration of the cultural links and tensions between Black American lifestyles and Ghanaian youth culture, especially in Kumasi. Through the series, he examines how Ghanaian communities interpret and remix global Black culture to create something uniquely their own. Now at its second installment, released earlier this year, the project continues to evolve as both a musical experiment and a social commentary—proving Kwartengg’s strength as a storyteller and cultural observer.
Together, these works reflect his ongoing mission: to use art not just as entertainment, but as a way to question society, celebrate heritage, and spark meaningful dialogue. Kwartengg stands among a new wave of Ghanaian artists redefining what it means to create today—rooted in tradition, fearless in experimentation, and always inviting the world to step into his universe.
While “As It Is” introduced listeners to his introspective style,“Wave”takes things further, a declaration of identity and calling that positions him as more than a musician, but a messenger through melody. With this release, Kwartengg proves he’s not just here to make hits, he’s here to make meaning.
“Wave” is available now on all major streaming platforms.
http://onerpm.link/kwartenggwave
