Ghanaian rapper Kofi Jamar announced his ties to the royal bloodline of the Ashanti Empire during his apology for seemingly supporting the slave trade. He mentioned that his great grandfather, Prempeh the First, was a King(Asantehene).
Tales of Prempeh I have been entrenched n in history, as well as his exile to Seychelles in 1896 by the British colonial masters after defending his people and the Golden stool (Ark of Covenant of the Ashanti people).
That separation was meant to happen for the fulfillment of the prophecy, The first shall be the last and the last shall be first.
Let those with ears hear, i’m not defending slavery but who are y’all gonna blame? Life gave us lemons and we made lemonade. #Blackpower
— King Jamar (@KofiJamar) September 19, 2022
Kofi Jamar, born Derrick Osei Kuffour Prempeh, sparked a huge debate when he asserted that the slave trade has its pros too. He argued that without the ‘controversial’ migration of Africans, certain genres of music would not have been in existence.
After much backlash from tweeps, the rapper retracted his initial tweet but not without an unqualified apology whilst revealing that he is royalty.
He wrote, “I apologize for my tweet. My great grandfather, Prempeh the 1st, was captured as a result of the colonial regime. I’ve been affected by what happened in many ways. Although The deed of slavery is wrong, I can’t deny the impact Blacks have had on the world today because of that.”
Thanks to well wishers, my fans and those dearest to me, I have learnt the mistakes in my submission and plan on further educating myself to be better. My tweet was not meant to harm anyone and I do hope we all find strength in forgiveness to move forward in kindness. Thank you
— King Jamar (@KofiJamar) September 19, 2022
Whilst some supported Kofi Jamar’s rationalisation of slavery, others felt it was an insensitive comment that absolves the colonial masters of their part.
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