Crossover singer-songwriter, saxophonist, and entertainer Inusa Dawuda a.k.a the “Black Pharaoh” returned recently with the release of his new single, ‘Waka Waka Day & Night’ shared on the 1st of September 2023. With releases on recording labels such as BMG and Universal Music, Pacha Recordings, Tiger Records-Kontor Records, Hed Kandi and Kingdom of Music, Inusa Dawuda has also enjoyed success in the smooth jazz/chill-out music genre with some of his hits like ‘Morning Light’ appearing on Café del Mar album vol. 9. If that wasn’t enough, the trailblazing artist has also appeared at venues in Ibiza such as Space, El Divino and Pacha, as well as Niki Beach in Miami, even gracing festival stages at Holi-festival and Kampen Jazz Festival in Germany, and House Music Fest in Croatia. Inusa made it up in the Brazilian dance and pop music charts with ‘Life Is Love’, before being officially crowned ‘Russia’s and C.I.S territory most successful foreign artist” where Inusa´s single ‘Rumours-Digi Digi’ has received millions of radio plays.
Born in Ghana, and now based in Hamburg, Germany, Inusa Dawuda has always felt a strong gravitational pull towards music. “It was as if music ran through my veins, effortlessly flowing from within”, says Inusa. Growing up in Ghana, he was surrounded by a vibrant tapestry of West African traditional music, highlife, contemporary soul, funk, reggae, and afrobeat. He was deeply inspired by the likes of James Brown, Fela Kuti, Manu Dibango, Bob Marley, and Jimmy Cliff, which is evident in his current records and persona. Later, when he moved to Europe to be with his father who worked as a seaman, he would delve into the records his dad returned from his various voyages. When he later discovered Grover Washington Jr, he realized the saxophone would be his chosen instrument if he were to pursue music, eventually acquiring one he could afford after taking on various jobs and schooling.
‘Waka Waka Day & Night’ exudes Inusa’s usual soulful afro artistry and flair. Abound with plucky guitars that trickle, lucious swooping pads, and complex african rhythms, Inusa’s voice is resplendent, raspy, and authentic, as he channels his emotions into his visceral vocal delivery and cadence. We are also treated to sporadic saxophone riffs played by Inusa himself that ignite and color the soundscape for brief moments at a time, always leaving the listener wanting more. Although instrumentally it’s groovy and easy on-the ear, the message is one of suffering and hardship, as Inusa explores our constant need to work, to pay the bills and put food on the table, and the suffering it brings for so many people and families across the world. Using his reach and voice to shine light on the various trials and tribulations we all go through, especially the poor and underprivileged, Dawuda demonstrates he stands for something more than just music and fame- a revolutionary act in an age of selfish monetary gain and attention seeking, all wrapped-up in an amazing song rife with musicality.
