BACKGROUND – STARTING UP

AKYEREKYEREFO -"TEACHERS"

The name "AKYEREKYEREFO" is an Akan word which literally means "Teachers". Akyerekyerefo is a musical duo from Ghana, West Africa and they are signed artiste under the Bakus Linx and Entertainment record label. The group is made up of two professionally trained and graduate teachers, Okyerekyereni Sparkles and Okyerekyereni Makorni who have been underground musicians for more than ten years.

Ransford Saltson a.k.a. Okyerekyereni Sparkles was born on 30th November, 1977 in Koforidua, Ghana. He had his basic education at Asamankese Methodist basic "B" Junior High School from where he proceeded to Mfantsipim School,Cape Coast in Ghana for his secondary education. It was after his secondary education that he developed interest in hip hop music and therefore joined a rap group called the Blackamoor Row in 1996 before enrolling in Presbyterian Training College (Akropong Akwapim, Ghana) in 1999. It was at the Teacher Training College that he met Makorni and together they formed the group Akyerekyerefo. Okyerekyereni Sparkles also holds a diploma in Public Administration from the University of Ghana, Legon and a Bachelor of Science in Banking and Finance from University of Professional Studies, Accra, Ghana.

Richard Nartey (Makorni) was born on the 9th of August 1978. Okyerekyereni Makorni started his basic education at Koforidua Junior School where his love for music was discovered. He proceeded to Aburi Secondary Technical School in 1996 and later gained admission to Presbyterian Training College (Akropong-Akwapim) in 1998. He is a graduate of the University of Education, Winneba in Ghana.

In 2001, the group recorded an album, "MATTA COME" but financial support hindered them from launching and promoting the album. Currently the group has recorded four singles with Bakus Entertainment, namely HOLD ME TIGHT produced by Kaywa, I NO DEY MIND and D3D33D3 produced by Ragoon, and VICTIMS produced by Diaz.

Akyerekyerefo's brand of music is African hip hop fused with dancehall and an element of high life music. The group practically raps about everything that affects society.