Growing up in Adabraka, a suburb of Accra, Daasebre was named Kwadwo Gyamenah. And as a royal, he later added “Daasebre” to distinguish himself from others with the same name.
Later on in his life he adopted the Islamic name in line with his faith. As a man of the people, Daasebre did not see why Christians and Muslims should be at each other’s throat over doctrinal differences.
And that was why he separated his work from his religion to enable him preach peace and morality to people from different religious backgrounds.
Daasebre Gyamenah was a Muslim and Abubakar Siddiq was his Muslim name.
“Daasebre was born into Islam. His late mother a Fante who later converted to Islam died when Daasebre was only five years old.
One other name that the singer has in his “portmanteau” that many of his fans may not know is Abubakar Siddiq.
Many Ghanaians know the late ace highlife singer, Daasebre Gyamenah, as “Ahoofe,” a name his fans gave him after the release of his hit song, “Ahoofe,” which literally means beautiful or the handsome one.
Daasebre shot into limelight in 1991 with his hit-song “Kokooko” which featured rapper-turned Pastor, Lord Kenya.
The song was the first major fusion of hip-life and high-life in Ghana.
The ‘Kookoko’ album had songs like “Obaa,” “Onongbo,” “How Far” among others.
After the “Kokooko” hit-song which, in fact, became an instant hit, Daasebre did not relent, but kept on producing hit-song after hit-song every year which made Daasebre a household name in Ghana.
In 2000, Programmes Manager of Accra -based radio station, Hitz FM, Mark Okraku Mantey, signed Daasebre on his record label, Slip Music.
He won awards during the 2000 and 2002 editions of the then Ghana Music Awards which is now Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA).
“Dass” as the late celebrated Ghanaian musician was affectionately called by his pals, also performed at the 2014 VGMA.
Gifted with soothing voice, Daasebre’s lyrics were basically about love and issues affecting everyday life.
In May 2006, Daasebre was arrested at the Heathrow Airport in the United Kingdom (UK) soon after he disembarked for allegedly importing 2kg of cocaine.
He went to the UK at that time to record his album, “A Friend In Need.”
But throughout his trial at the Isleworth Crown Court, Daasebre maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty to charges against him.
And by his plea, the 12-member jury who sat on the case returned a “no-guilty” verdict on Friday, May 11, 2007.
According to the highlife giant, “I anticipated something good was in store for me on that particular Friday, the day which was to either make or break me.
“Earlier on Thursday, (May 10, 2007) in the morning, I found a dove at the back of my window so I sat down and prayed to God that he shouldn’t let Friday be a bad day for me; it shouldn’t be a day for me to remember and cry but a day for me to remember and give thanks to him (God). So I knew that something better will be coming my way on Friday,” Daasebre was reported to have told the media shortly after his release.
Daasebre returned from jail with a Diploma in Information Technology (IT) and Mathematics—qualifications he got at no cost to him.
He also composed 1,500 songs while in prison.
The late Daasebre died on Friday, July 29, 2016 at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra at the age of 45 years.
He was survived by four children and his wife, Deborah, who comes from Larteh in the Eastern Region.
Among his hit-songs include, “Kokooko”, “Obaa”, “Ahoafe”, “Calling”, “A Friend in Need”, “You Stole My Heart”, “Bokor, Bokor”, “It’s Okay”, “Eye Mere” etc.
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