Wanlov The Kubolor

So far, Wanlov the Kubolor's albums have challenged the limits of Afro-pop culture. His 2007 debut ?Green Card? triggered the wave of Pidgen singing and rapping now popular in Ghana. And while everyone else lost their heads in the euphoria of Africa's first World Cup in 2010, ?Yellow Card - Stomach Direction's? satire was the lone voice of caution against government corruption at the time. Now with ?Brown Card ? African Gypsy? Wanlov introduces the world to Afrogypsy music.

Born Emmanuel Owusu-Bonsu in Romania to a Romanian mother and Ghanaian father, Wanlov moved to Ghana where he grew up. His pitch to translate his dual-cultural experiences into an album beat hundreds of applicants from around the world to a coveted VPC (Visa Pour Creation) residency at Cites Des Arts in Paris, sponsored by the Institut Francais & the French Embassy.

Wanlov is also one half of the most relevant Afropop duos in the world, the GUBA & 4Syte Ghana Music Video Award winning FOKN Bois. Together with his partner M3NSA, they wrote and star in the world's first Pidgen Musical ?Coz Ov Moni? and have supported acts like Snoop Dogg, Gentleman and the Gorillaz.

Demonstrating genuine empathy in his music, Wanlov has not only won the hearts of tens of thousands of fans globally, but also earned the role of spokesman for top philanthropic organisations such as Orphan Aid & Invisible Children. His song ?Human Being - Just Like You ft Aaron Bebe?, winner of the WCS International Song Contest in 2006, is featured on Amnesty International's PEACE compilation and was used by UNICEF's anti-child trafficking campaign in Ghana. A strong advocate for environmental awareness and living sustainably, his song ?For The River ft Long John? was used as the theme song for the Accra Environmental Film Festival.

2008, Wanlov's breakthrough year, brought increased critical acclaim starting with four Ghana Music Awards nominations ( ?Discovery of The Year?, ?Record of The Year?, ?Video of The Year? & ?Hip Hop Song of The Year?). Also MOBO nominee for ?Best African Act?, he has collaborated and shared stages with Femi Kuti, King Ayisoba and Blay Ambolley.

With the 5-man Afrogypsy band in tow, Wanlov the Kubolor tours the world carrying his "Brown Card" ? a statement record in which he celebrates his identity and approaches a new musical frontier with renewed vim: ?Chale, I am rapping and singing on traditional African drums blended with Transylvanian violins and it feels bloody good...Dracula and Idi Amin would both be proud.?