Obrafour

Michael Elliot Kwabena Okyere Darko, known as Obrafour, the Rap Sofo and the Rap Executioner, is a Ghanaian hiplife rapper whose storytelling in Twi made his 1999 debut, Pae Mu Ka, one of the best-selling and most celebrated albums in Ghanaian music. It won him three awards at the 2000 Ghana Music Awards.

Early life

He was born around 1976 in Obo Kwahu, in the Eastern Region, to Gladys Agyapomaa, a church chorister, and Kwaku Okyere Darko. As a child he sang with his mother in church. He attended New Star Preparatory School and Abetifi Secondary School before moving to St. Peter's Boys Senior High School, where he hoped to study for his A levels and become a lawyer. His plans fell apart after his mother died in 1995.

Pae Mu Ka

In school he formed a quartet that sang gospel songs, and a rapping friend, Quincy, introduced him to hip-hop. At auditions he met Hammer, then an amateur beat maker, who connected him with Abraham Ohene-Djan of OM Studios. Pae Mu Ka came out late in 1999. On 9 November 2019 he marked its 20th anniversary with a concert at the Accra International Conference Centre.

Later albums

His other albums include Asem Sebe (2001), Nte Tee Pa (2003), Tofa (2005) and Heavy (2006).

Lawsuit against Drake

In April 2023 he sued the Canadian rapper Drake for $10 million, saying that Drake's song "Calling My Name" used a sample of his "Oye Ohene" remix without permission. He said an agent of Drake had asked for permission and then used the work before it was granted.