“M3NSA has been the backbone to this project. He not only recommended me people to work with, he also has been a mentor and become a good friend. Not just a talented MC, he makes fat beats too (producing hits for the likes of Reggie Rockstone and Wanlov). M3NSA also has a very cool singing voice and his songs reflect this great talent too with fat raps and beautifully sung chorus lines.”

M3NSA is about to release his excellent “No.1 ‘Mango Street’ worldwide in 2011.

Check out the first single from his new LP here, entitled ‘No One Knows’

Biography

This versatile and eclectic musician, named as one of BBC’s Top 50 Ghanaians and recipient of multiple accolades (KORA Awards, Ghana Music Awards and M-Net’s Channel O) is once again re-energising the music scene with his unique fusion of true school hip hop and West African homegrown hip – life. No.1 MANGO STREET, his brilliant new offering is bursting with polished soulful sounds; deep jazz chords, synths, and heavy drums. This is a fantastic follow up to his critically acclaimed debut, Rapublic.

M3NSA is the third son of his parents and holds true the popular Ghanaian adage that “afie biara Mensa wo mu,” which  means every household has a rabble rouser, or a trouble starter! His father, Tumi Ebo Ansah, rocked stages as a guitarist of British afro-pop sensation, OSIBISA, and also starred in HERITAGE AFRICA (winner of the outstanding film award at the 1989 London Film Festival) and his mother, the biggest influence on his music, taught him to play the piano when he was just eight years old. His cousin, Joey Ansah has featured in popular movies such as the BOURNE ULTIMATUM and BATMAN BEGINS. M3NSA is also nephew to film director, Kwaw Ansah, who directed HERITAGE AFRICA, and Kofi Ansah, a well renowned fashion designer who designed clothes for the Royal Family wedding in the 1980s.

It is no wonder then that M3NSA was influenced by his family’s artistic lineage. He grew up celebrating his roots and found a passion in music. He decided early on to harness his potential and define what he wanted for himself. To this end, he ardently pursued his passion and made his first foray into music by forming The Lifeline Family, a short-lived hip-life band, which released one album. Following the demise of the band, M3NSA discovered a flair for producing great music that was soon recognized by Reggie Rockstone, founder of hip-life, Ghana’s innovative blend of highlife and hip-hop. He produced two hit tracks for Rockstone’s album Me Ka. Impressed by the incredible talent, Rockstone quickly enlisted young M3NSA to produce his fourth album, Last Show. An album which, went on to be critically and commercially acclaimed.

Following the success of those songs, M3NSA became the go-to producer for laid back hip-life music and was sought after by the cream of international music’s finest. To date, he has worked with Wanlov the Kubolor, producing the big hit Kokonsa, and recorded with VIP, Obrafour, Tic Tac, Tinny, KK Fosu and Samini. However, M3NSA is not just an exceptional producer, but also a promising emcee and singer who is recognised worldwide. He has toured Europe with hip-hop legends like the “The Wu-Tang Clan” and “The Roots” and worked with some of Africa’s heavy hitters such as Sway, Asa and Nneka.

His versatility ranks second to none. He has the unique ability to fuse true school hip hop with afrobeat and palmwine highlife. This triple threat – a multi faceted talent; singer/ songwriter/producer – refuses to be  pidgeon-holed into a typical hip hop/hip life style, and his innovative and witty musical lyrics with a hint of old skool bluesy thrills means he has created a niche, untapped market of his own. A mature audience that appreciates insightful lyrics, experimental production and is willing to explore the evolving nature of music without any compromise. A market that transcends age, culture, race etc. A market that simply appreciates good music. It is a Market that will be only too happy to join him on his journey to take over the music industry.

This versatility is what makes him one of the most sought after artists today. It is what inspired one of London’s most respected DJ/Producer Richy Pitch to recruit and feature M3NSA on 6 out of the 13 songs on his new LP ‘YE FRE MI RICHY PITCH’. This is an album Richy recorded in Ghana and London with Ghana’s most respected artists. It is set to be released on BBE in August 2010.

M3NSA is currently promoting a film dubbed ‘COZ OV MONI’ – the world’s first Pidgen musical, in which he stars with Wanlov the Kubolor  (the super rap duo now known as F.O.K.N Bois). A story about a very eventful day in the lives of two friends living in the Heart of Accra. It is hilarious. It is animated. It is inspiring. And it is controversial, with all dialogue and communication in verse and song! It definitely offers the  much needed ‘new-ness’ into the film/musical scene. To date the film has been accepted to the Rio International Film Festival (Brazil) Pan African Film Festival (Los Angeles) Black Filmmakers International Film Festival (London) Pan African Film Festival (Cannes) and Headliner Movie at African Weekender (Sussex). ‘COZ OV MONI’ will be released in Ghana on the 16th of May at the National Theatre and in London, in June 2010.

Inspired during his trip to the motherland to film ‘COZ OV MONI’, he recorded ‘No. 1 MANGO STREET’ – a yearning shoutout to the land of his birth. This Ghanaian Born, LA and London raised man, pays homage to the land of his Birth and takes a nostalgic trip down memory lane, vividly depicting the rich, varied nuances of Ghanaian life from an adult, almost outsider perspective. Smoothed out guitar riffs, and George Benson- esqe sounds, combined with a sensual hip hop beat to produce a unique 13 track collection of retro tunes – excitingly new yet strangely familiar. The album, mixed and mastered by GRAMMY AWARD WINNING engineer Ed Reed, features a perfect blend of well known and rising gifted artists such as Wanlov the Kubulor, Samini, M.anifest, Asa, Ndidi and Kwabena Jones. No. 1 MANGO STREET will be released in the fall of 2010.

Verdict – This kid is going to be around for a long time.