M3NSA
 |
M3NSA M3nsa.jpg | |
|---|---|
 M3nsa performing in Accra | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Mensa Ansah |
| Born | 1981 Accra, Greater Accra Region, Ghana |
| Genres | Hip Hop, Electronic, Highlife, Hiplife, Afrobeats |
| Occupation(s) | Producer, songwriter, rapper, filmmaker. |
| Years active | 1997 – present |
| Labels | Independent |
| Website | www.mensaansah.com |
Mensa Ansah, better known as M3NSA is a British Ghanaian producer, composer, rapper, singer and filmmaker.[1] Known for his recognisable sound and instinctual storytelling, while still being deeply rooted in his motherland, he has grown into an international sensation through the years [2] because of his ability to navigate different languages, cultures, and art expressions.
Early life
[edit]M3NSA was born in 1981 at Accra, Ghana.[3] He is the third son of Tumi Ebo Ansah, formerly a member of the Afro pop group, Osibisa.[4][5][3][6]
Musical career
[edit]M3NSA begun as a member of The Lifeline Family.[7] A group he founded and worked with as a rapper. After the group was disbanded, he ventured music production and begun producing music for Reggie Rockstone.[5][7] He later begun producing music for various Ghanaian musicians, some of which include Samini, KK Fosu, Obour and Tic Tac.[6][7]
As a music artiste, M3NSA has toured with musicians such as the Wu-Tang Clan, and The Roots.[5][7] M3NSA's works have gained recognition from KORA Awards, MOBO Awards, and Ghana Music Awards.[citation needed]
Discography
[edit]Solo albums
[edit]FOKN Bois Albums
[edit]- 2010 - Coz Ov Moni OS - Movie Soundtrack[5][8][9]
- 2011 - Coz Ov Moni - The Kweku Ananse Remix EP - EP
- 2011 - Coz Ov Moni - The DJ Juls Dw3t3i Remixes - EP
- 2011 - FOKN Dunaquest in Budapest - EP
- 2012 - FOKN Dunaquest in Budapest Remixes - EP
- 2012 - FOKN Wit Ewe - Album
- 2013 - Coz Ov Moni 2 (FOKN Revenge) OS - Movie Soundtrack[5]
- 2016 - FOKN Ode to Ghana
- 2019 - Afrobeats LOL
Personal life
[edit]M3NSA is a nephew to Kwaw Ansah, a film director, and Kofi Ansah, a fashion designer. He is also a cousin to the actor Joey Ansah.[5][3][7]
A notable trait of Mensa is his niche and interest in social commentary, he believes that his music should reflect what he sees around him. As a result, Mensa has become a prominent voice in the pro-LGBTQ movement in Ghana, using Twitter as a means of sharing his thoughts and challenging anti-LGBTQ voices on this platform. This has led to him being labeled as "Trumu Trumu boy" a derogatory phrase used for men who are supportive of LGBTQ rights in Ghana.
Similarly, he is also an advocate for women and speaks up against the misogynoir that is engraved in Ghanaian cultural dialogue.
References
[edit]- ^ "M3nsa Music". spotify.com.
- ^ Tseliso, Monaheng. "Continentally Speaking: M3nsa". Red Bull ZA.
- ^ a b c "Interview: One-on-One with M3nsa Ansah". www.ghanaweb.com. 2014-04-12. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
- ^ a b "M3nsa: From rap to songs of love". BBC News. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
- ^ a b c d e f "M3NSA | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
- ^ a b c "M3NSA". mobile.ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
- ^ a b c d e "M3NSA hometown, biography". Last.fm. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
- ^ "Tinny, Others For MOBO Awards". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
- ^ "Hip Hop as Social Commentary in Accra and Dar es Salaam" (PDF). African Studies Quarterly.