PAUSE PRESENTS:
itBOYS Ghana 2022
Accra we dey.
The rich history and culture of Ghana meant the trajectory of its emerging crop of creatives was only ever destined to go one way: up. From every corner of the creative spectrum, there’s a new wave of talent set to not only take over Ghana, but the world as well.
Creative Direction & Photographer: Kweku Yeboah // @kweku_yeboah1
Film Director: Kumi Obuobisa // @kumi_obuobisa
Interview: Johnson Gold // @Johnson_Gold
King Ketelby James
OUTFIT CREDITS: Hat: Casablanca via MR PORTER, Shirt: Stylist Own, Pants: Palm Angles, Shoes: Adidas
Name: King Ketelby James
Age: Not important.
Instagram: @Ketelbyjames_strg
TikTok: @Ketelbyjames_strg
Tell us about you, what do you do day to day?
I’m an artist, musician and creative director. Most of the time, I produce music for other people or myself and when I’m not in the studio, I’m working on several projects. For example, I love to write concepts and direct videos.
Tell us something amazing about Ghana that everyone should know.
I barely know a place, where culture, music, fashion, beautiful people and beautiful vibes come together as it does in Ghana.
What does being from Ghana mean to you?
I’m not Ghanaian, but I have to admit that Ghana is deeply in my heart. I’m originally from Angola, Mozambique, Portugal & India. Those are also very beautiful places.
Describe your style in one word:
Loud.
Who is the best fashion brand right now that is also championing African culture?
Free The Youth, Daily Paper & Reeyah Swim.
Pick the best 3 restaurants in Ghana:
The Ivorian tilapia place behind Shoprite, Bella Afrik and a small pork restaurant in Osu.
Describe what it’s like to be a young creative in Ghana right now.
There are so many beautiful things happening at the moment. It’s an amazing time to be in Ghana. You get inspired every day by young creatives which gives me a lot of motivation to keep going. The people in Ghana understand my vision and nothing is impossible!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
On Top.
Holali Kinni Felix
OUTFIT CREDITS: Jacket: Daily Paper, Shirt: Talent Own, Pants: Kapital via MR PORTER, Shoes: Stylist Own
Name: Holali Kinni Felix
Age: 20
Instagram: @playboy_holali
TikTok: @playboy_holali
Tell us about you, what do you do day to day?
I create content.
Tell us something amazing about Ghana that everyone should know.
Ghana is the most peaceful Country in Africa, you’ll have the right to do everything you want.
What does being from Ghana mean to you?
It means I’m a star from Africa.
Describe your style in one word:
Artist.
Who is the best fashion brand right now that is also championing African culture?
Chip O Neal.
Pick the best 3 restaurants in Ghana:
KOZO Restaurant, The Mix Restaurant, The Grillroom.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
An icon.
Samuel Mensah Fiebor
OUTFIT CREDITS: Hat: Stylist Own, Outfit: Daily Paper, Shoes: Talent Own
Name: Samuel Mensah Fiebor
Age: 26
Instagram: @Br0ks_
TikTok: @Waviestbrooks
Tell us about you, what do you do day to day?
A young creative born and raised in Accra, I always aimed at getting things done in my own way. Growing up with two siblings and surviving each and every day by working very hard, I didn’t grow up having everything I want or need, so I try my possible best to make earns meet to survive. After high school reality set in then, I started scouting for locations and how to take my pictures because I was so in love with how Ian Connor, ASAP Rocky and Luka Sabbat rock their outfits. I was so inspired by their fashion sense, and due to that I always tried harder to get these designer tees back then and pants just to look fly.
I mostly keep money or do what we call ‘susu’ to buy those similar tees and jackets. So one day I called some of my friends, I thought they’d like to also take pictures with me and escort me so we’d take pictures together. It all began from there taking pictures and styling my own fits, also directing them on which angles to take them was quite fun, but stressful at times. I used to get people telling me what I’m doing is a waste of time and that I should go focus on something else, I used to really feel bad about that and got depressed for months figuring out how and why I should get all this slander from friends. Since I loved fashion I went into thrifting and started looking for rare and fly tees or jackets I’d rock to be fly in my pictures. It was quite a great moment for me to be able to hold on to what I’m doing and still love it. My day-to-day is mostly creating, thrifting, looking for more ideas and working on my brand. I’d roam looking and searching something rare antiques in Kantamanto, Ghana’s biggest secondhand market, sometimes I scout for locations where I’d like to use for photoshoots or reels.
Tell us something amazing about Ghana that everyone should know.
There’s always something amazing and different when it comes to Ghana. People out there in the diaspora want to see and feel what’s like to be in Ghana, its diversities, culture, traditions, history, people and food. One fact that people don’t actually know is that Ghana is the most peaceful country in Africa, no doubt about that. Y’all know we got the best Ghana Jollof too. We welcome people from all over the world, most are here to know the history of Ghana, enjoy the food and even stay and learn about its rich culture and history. it’s a whole lot of amazing experiences out here, the fun out here is a different vibe on its own especially when it’s December Ghana is a place to be trust me.
What does being from Ghana mean to you?
Being from Ghana defines who I am basically that’s my roots, my culture – everything and everyone I know come from here and I wouldn’t be prouder to come from anywhere else.
Describe your style in one word:
I always ask myself this question what’s my style and what style do I even do honestly, my style is unique, different and simple. I don’t find myself looking too much in any outfits and I love to look comfortable in whatever I wear.
Who is the best fashion brand right now that is also championing African culture?
Daily Paper & Free The Youth.
Pick the best 3 restaurants in Ghana:
Bondai, Republic bar, Pomona.
Describe what it’s like to be a young creative in Ghana right now.
Over the years it hasn’t been an easy journey being a creative in Ghana. It’s a whole process for people to recognize your work and what you do. It has to be you putting yourself out there letting people know what you do, and interacting with different people. Thank God we got social media where you put out your pieces or what you do best and right now it’s really challenging, you have to just relentlessly go after what you want or just have to create what you can’t find anywhere like something unique. I think we’re still getting to the peak of being recognized too.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I honestly don’t know where I’d see myself in 5 years time but I’m ready where ever I find myself in 5 years’ time. I want to cherish that moment and how far I’ve come and make sure I stay solid in my grind and never look back on my family.
Christian Saint-Marshall Boakye Jr
OUTFIT CREDITS: Full look: MR PORTER, Shoes: Stylist Own
Name: Christian Saint-Marshall Boakye Jr
Instagram: @iamkaptin
TikTok: @iamkaptin
Tell us about you, what do you do day to day?
A young adult born and raised in a small town in Accra, Ghana who grew up listening to hip hop & contemporary sounds from influences such as Kendrick Lamar, Vince Staples, and Travis Scott – which I translated into my storytelling through Photography & Producing.
My day-to-day is super packed almost every day as I spend much time editing project works whilst having a virtual meeting almost every day with my business manager to see if we have any bookings for the week because I own a production company New Saint Inc with my long-time friend Remmy Okley. We tell stories through art books, filmmaking, photography & research. I partnered up with an Accra-based studio Saint Studios where I do all my studio commercial photography, I spend time there working on experimental projects with 3 of my assistants.
Tell us something amazing about Ghana that everyone should know.
Ghana is the motherland and I think anybody who got their roots out here should most definitely come to experience living out here and also support building it in any way you can. I always advise my diaspora friends about giving back to the motherland in any medium. Ghana is a beautiful country with amazing people & creatives. Most world-renowned creatives got high inspiration from Ghana or one way or the other come here to get high inspiration like Kendrick Lamar came here the other time same as Chance the Rapper & more. I think Ghana is the base spot for inspiration.
What does being from Ghana mean to you?
Ghana means Freedom to me. Creatives out here get to do anything they put their heart to it, when you go to the rural areas, you see how free & enjoyable they are even if it’s a soccer match. You can feel the happy expression on their faces. I really love my country Ghana.
Describe your style in one word:
My style is idiosyncratic if I will say.
Who is the best fashion brand right now that is also championing African culture?
Free The Youth, Weirdo Brand, Harry Cotten, Complex Department, Subwae Studios, Dark Szn & more.
Pick the best 3 restaurants in Ghana:
Captain Yaw Resturant, Palm Moments & Bondai.
Describe what it’s like to be a young creative in Ghana right now.
The life of a young creative in Ghana right now is very hectic & not encouraging because of the state of the economy right now. The country is in Bankruptcy with no grants & no support from the Ministry of Creative Arts, so creatives here had to be independent to learn the hard way to succeed in being either a music artist, paint artist, photographer or anything. Most creatives here look at the western world as their saviour in a state like this. I hope the country develops in its creative infrastructure so creatives won’t see the West as their first option to succeed.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Build myself more In the creative business & hoping to give back to my foundation where I equip young adults to learn a skill through arts.
Richmond Bossman
OUTFIT CREDITS: Outfit: Daily Paper, Vest: Stylist Own, Sunglasses: Bottega Veneta, Shoes: Timberland
Name: Richmond Bossman
Age: 21
Instagram: @saint_richboss
Tiktok: @saint_richboss
Tell us about you, what do you do day to day?
Most times I’m creating, designing clothes, thrift shopping, writing music, writing scripts for music videos, styling artists, playing beats, cooking, and chilling with friends.
Tell us something amazing about Ghana that everyone should know.
The people’s hospitality.
What does being from Ghana mean to you?
Making something out of nothing.
Describe your style in one word:
Styleless.
Who is the best fashion brand right now that is also championing African culture?
A lot, I can’t mention any.
Pick the best 3 restaurants in Ghana:
I currently don’t have names of restaurants in mind. I mostly do my cooking.
Describe what it’s like to be a young creative in Ghana right now.
For me, I just want to have fun and make a living.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Travelling the world with my fashion-influenced music.
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