Ten of thousands flocked to the La Pleasure Beach for the highly anticipated Kuchoko Roots Festival 2025, unbeknownst to them, there was much more awaiting them. The mammoth crowd was electrified!
La Pleasure Beach in Accra was a sea of energy and rhythm as thousands gathered for the 2025 Kuchoko Roots Festival.
The highly anticipated event featured powerful performances from Jamaican reggae icons Kenyatta Hill and Duane Stephenson, who were performing in Ghana for the first time, and they captivated the crowd with their soulful melodies and timeless reggae hits.
Duane Stephenson was first to mount the stage after a string of local and international acts including JahWi, Osagyefo, Aklerh, Renner, Kwame Bediako, The Mighty Orthodox Band, Daddy Bosco and some eclectic Burkinabé acts as Ras Simposh, ZMo and Ima Hado.
Duane Stephenson’s charm was enough to wow all the ladies in the dance. Hit after hit, he got the fans singing every note of his music.
When dropped Another Day In Paradise, the crowd took over the song and sang all through. The highest point was when the Jamaican dropped August Town. It was like the sea was about to be parted in the days of Moses.
The artiste felt the energy and he parted the organisers of Kuchoko Roots Festival saying, “I have been touring around the world but I don’t remember the last time I played with a full horn section. Kuchoko gave me that. Thanks so much. I will come again.”
Kenyatta Hill was a younger Joseph Hill on stage. He was a lion. He roared his father’s songs so energetically. He drew his father’s photo from his phone, kissed it and flew into another set of Reggaematic tantrums. He played for an hour and a half.
The festival, headlined by Ghana’s own Blakk Rasta, saw him perform alongside the dynamic Herbalist Band, delivering a high-octave set that left fans chanting for more.
He mounted the stage at 5.20 am with fans still waiting for him. He dropped crowd favourites like Barack Obama, Sodom and Gomorrah, Barber Shop, Chucku Laryea and more.
Hit after hit, the artiste as usual asked his fans what songs they wanted to listen to and the Kuchoko Legend went ahead to belt those songs. It was a befitting closing act after such high energy on the night. Blakk Rasta proved beyond all doubt that he is a king with the live band.
The energy was uncontainable from a man many thought would have tired from standing on his feet all night directing affairs.
Blakk Rasta’s performance was a fusion of traditional reggae and Kuchoko vibes, highlighting his versatility and passion for the genre.
The Kuchoko Roots Festival continues to solidify its place as a major event on Ghana’s entertainment calendar, promoting the Reggae culture and bridging musical connections between Ghana and the rest of the world.
Kenyatta Hill and Blakk Rasta are billed to play at +233 Bar & Grill in Accra on Saturday night before Kenyatta jets for the Ivory Coast to play a final African concert.
Having raised the bar so high at the Kuchoko Roots festival, many are wondering if Kuchoko Roots Festival 2026 will match up to the billing.
