The Dancing Prophet Is Back

eth Frimpong, popularly known as the ‘Dancing Prophet’ is dancing his way to the top not only in Ghana, but across the world. Though it has been four years since he last released his album, Okuntsola, meaning ‘God of Miracles’ in Yoruba, he revealed to Showbiz last week that he has been busy performing and preaching across Europe, Canada and the United States. He showed off some of the awards he won at the 7th Annual Ghanaian-Canadaian Achievement Awards ceremony in Canada last year to Showbiz, saying he was the first African to win in the Special Award category. “I’ve received numerous awards and also performed in Italy, Belgium, Holland and other places. I, however, consider the Special Award won in Canada as the grace of God upon my life.” Frimpong explains that he was invited to the awards ceremony by Mayor Roy Cullen when he witnessed a performance at which members of the Ghanaian community took to the floor in appreciation of his artistry. That was in 2006. “The Mayor was so impressed with my performance that he invited me to participate in the awards. It’s been a wonderful experience for me”, an elated Frimpong said. The Dancing Prophet has, in the meantime, hit the airwaves in Kumasi with his latest album, Atembu Da. “It is more exciting than Mihuri So that came out in 2003. It contains powerful messages as well as danceable tunes that are becoming the favourite of music fans in Kumasi. “I know my fans have missed me very much and were wondering why it had taken me so long to surface with something new. I was waiting upon the Lord who makes all things beautiful in His own time and this is the time.” Ever since he jumped onto the music scene in 2000 with his debut album Enkosi Aga, the 38-year-old man from Akitiemo, near Antoa in the Ashanti Region is without doubt one of the few gospel musicians with contagious dancing skills. Eyebrows were raised over his peculiar dance moves, compelling some people to question his credential as a Reverend Minister of the Assemblies of God church at Old Tafo in Kumasi. Quoting scripture to support of his style of dancing, Frimpong added that: “Dancing glorifies God. It portrays the joy you have in worshipping God.” Commenting on the challenges he faces as a musician, Frimpong said: “It has never been my style to charge a fee to perform and I don’t intend doing so. My problem is that when one decides to recognise my good work by offering me some money, that recognition should come with something substantial. You don’t have to give me peanuts because I offered to perform free of charge. It demeans the profession and that is why some musicians demand a down payment before they perform.” Growing up as the fourth out of the 11 children born to Sarah Adei and the late Kwaku Frimpong was not an easy situation for Frimpong. “I could not go any further when I completed my elementary education at the Tano Pankron Elementary School. I remember approaching my father to assist me to further my education, but he couldn’t afford it at the time and my schooling, unfortunately, ended there.” Nevertheless, Frimpong is enjoying every bit of his career just as he enjoys his favourite fufu and light soup cum football when not preaching or performing.