There’s a young voice who’s been recently emerging out the music scene in Chicago right now who goes by the name Kofie Diamonds, born Michael Kofie Kportufe.
Kofie’s breakout mixtapes BONSAI and EUPHORIA BEYOND hit the stratosphere in 2018. Praised for his lyrics and raging beats as well as his style, he is admired for his star-ability and experience in the streets as a hustler as well as an advocate and a poet. Kofie became serious upon becoming a rapper upon encouragement from his late Uncle. KOFIE DIAMONDS would later get a tattoo of three eights on his neck to honor his freedom and life path number (8) — pushing Kofie to work harder on his music. Kofie merges his heartwarming production with his eccentrically-wild perspectives on the world as seen through his eyes. He finds influences from OUTKAST, DENNIS BROWN, KANYE WEST , PHARELL WILLIAMS, NAS, MICHAEL JACKSON, and Lil Wayne (among others).
The influence
KOFIE is continuing to making waves in the worlds of hip hop, drill, dancehall, and afrobeats. Just when all fails, our ears are being blessed by a young musical rebel hailing from a west Indian/west african household. Kofie talks about his troubles his past and his upbringings in his music.
Kofie’s rise in the music industry has been tidal over the years, but he remains focused on his long-term goals in being a highly paid producer. Dropping hopes of shifting the paradigm of music in Chicago and inspiring listeners to embrace a more mellow and laid-back lifestyle.
Were looking forward to new snippets of his work and kofie tries to release as much as he can being and independent west indian artist from Chicago. I’m sure the industry understands as he’s been offered all kind of deals from Atlantic to EMPIRE. kofie diamonds has rich fans and big plans, according to one of empires head executives. including a tour in October and more music videos from his very previously released album titled “young INFINITY” . Kofie has a tattoo of three eights on his neck as a tribute to his ancestors and birth number which is 8. “Everywhere I see an 8 its either a blessing or a lesson” he said in a 2021 interview with myradioChicago
He’s also exploring fashion with a clothing line in the works. As he continues to push boundaries, diamonds remains confident in his sound: “Im always building mentaly but most importantly having fun,” he declares.
In June of 2022 Michael kofie kportufe otherwise known as kofie diamonds was arrested in downtown Chicago, and charged with Robbery, battery, and criminal damage to property, and taken to cook county jail.
After being released in 2023 he began doing social and restorative justice work for the city and was on a panel for the mayors office advocating for less harsh punishments for first time offenders depending on the crime. Justine ogbevire and Nikia Watkins from circles and ciphers were giving him tasks left and right to complete during each week. He was later a part of a campaign with performing statistics and circles and ciphers called no kid’s in prison. Michael kofie kportufe was featured on multiple billboards across the city as well as on a magazine, and some snack bags at an exhibition. He says It was unreal to see such a display of myself like that. “I didn’t really take modeling seriously until I got out of jail. I met the photographer before I met anyone else, at a recording studio in Rogers Park. He chose me and a few other people who I was around at the time. The photoshoot was a few days after and I pretty much just got high and went to the studio to record some music. I’m always posting on my Instagram but to actually be apart of something is real special.”
being the face on several billboards in Chicago for a restorative justice campaign called “NO KIDS IN PRISON” with fellow artist Marko $tats from circles and ciphers and performing statistics. Joining forces in efforts to pass laws to reform or all together ban youth incarceration. Kofie diamonds is the face of the restorative justice scene in Chicago for sure his face has been everywhere in the city and his name ringing bells on reddit.
However, Kofie is no stranger to the camera and at 15 years old was interviewed at the premiere for transformers movie in Chicago.
When I went to the exhibition, there was a lady in front of the line who recognized me and was like “oh how don’t I already know you when im the one who cut out your face a few hundred times” she then directed me infront of everyone else to show me my exhibit. I also performed the same night. The billboards were just the icing on the cake I will forever be grateful for.
We all can relate there somewhere.
There’s a constant stigma with these new artists that His artistry singlehandedly surpasses every time he posts a snippet or a video on YouTube. Remixing songs like paper planes by Mia His music is not so hard to catch sound to. Kofie was previously incarcerated prior to him pursuing his career in music. Since his release he has been incarcerated two more times one for a warrant and another for violating his probation on electronic monitoring. “I was wrongly charged because I didn’t tell on nobody and unfortunately in Chicago that’s what happens, a m****r f****r who I was cool with robbed somebody and bailed on me, I got robbed by some females, just for them to get robbed by someone I knew.
Kofie talks about the troubles in his past in the song Saggitarius
Later saying
The detective didn’t like me at all because our conversation was short, he wanted me to say a name and I didn’t because I thought I was going home, sh*t its not my job to figure out who did what my brain is my universe for real.
Kofie described it as “nail bitting” when speaking live about Modeling for a campaign let alone being a rising star in the world of Dancehall at the same time.
Kofie developed a deep passion for music at an early age in his sixth grade computer class at NORTHEAST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. “My teacher gave us free time on the computer if we completed our work so I would always be making beats on my free time just learning how to use a daw” Kofie quickly developed a distinct sound that blends traditional Dancehall and hip hop rhythms with modern drill and afrobeats influences. Kofies parents are Jamaican and African so his influences in music where pretty much instilled into him at an early age.
There are so many avenues to his creativity and kofie diamonds brings a refreshing and energetic vibe to each genre. His lyrical prowess and dynamic performances have captivated audiences everywhere throughout the Midwest, earning a progressive fanbase and cult following both locally and internationally.
KOFIE DIAMONDS first gained attention with the release of SASUKE, in 2019 which went viral on tik Tok and garnered significant airplay on major platforms.
Kofie talks about battling drugs, girls, money and depression and has a ton of real life experiences that have influenced his infectious sound.
Since his latest studio release 2023’s NOTHING NEVER CHANGED, the Jamaican/Ghanaian-american songster makes a wild comeback to devastate his exes and ohs all over again. his new album – YOUNG INFINITY, delves deeper into his craft of production art and ballads.
“I finished tweaking thealbum right before I went to Harvard I was playing it for my homie akeem and Emmanuel Andre who were both ecstatic at the time plus I was listening to a mix of different genres on the plane so I wanted the album to drop as a reflection of my experience and not just another album”
albeit this time around he switches up the tempo and gets us dancing while having us say what the fuck he can do that? At the same time. We caught up to date after his victorious listening party for “SAFEKEEPER” , at coffee mental health and hip hop with fellow mentors Christopher LeMark who he described as a mentor. He did small jobs at the coffee shop where he was taught by Chris about the hangovers of love and anger and procured by beautiful women of all races over coffee. playing piano every morning with a mix of matcha and almonds to chat about mental health, Hip Hop & R&B’s roots, and Jamaican food.
His potential is undoubtedly amazing as he continues to display his undeniable talents. This is an artist with the sustainability of a professional and we are looking forward to seeing what’s next in his journey as a creator.
Stay tuned for more.
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