Kobina

A Diamond’s evolution into brilliant light reflection.Kobina (means, born on Tuesday, pronounced Kobna) made his arrival in this world into the Fanti-tribe, brother-tribe of the Ashanti in Ghana.Earliest memories and inspirations are drawn from the richness of the Ivory Coast of West-Africa.Abandoned by his birth parents, he was forced to leave his African soil for the snowy mountains of Switzerland and was raised by Swiss grandparents.As early as he can remember music was his refuge.Heartbroken he began to pour his feelings into the melodies of the piano, which helped him to survive.On his first job, he distinguished himself by being the only black used for a Revlon Men’s Cologne campaign in MunichGaining speed he quickly moved onto his first fashion shows where he opened for Moschino, Valentino, Ungaro, Hugo Boss, then Perry Ellis and many others.Hit Paris, landing his first print campaign where he was the face for United Colors of Benetton.Affair with super model Cerise Jones. Later married, producing 2 children: Kai Alexander and Timothy Jordan.Moving onto gigs in Barcelona, Madrid, London, South-Beach & Brazil. Finally landing in the Eileen Ford Modeling agency in New York.Subsequently succumbing to racial pressures, sought escape through drugs on the street and pulled a “Gia”Traded nightlife and drugs for the security and calm of the Swiss Country-side.Internal struggles made him seek his refuge of music delivering his first of many compositions “On The Heels Of Love”.STRENGTH RENEWED HE RETURNED TO AMERICAAnd began singing in a Gospel Church discovering the Gospel’s fire baptized blaze. Kobina’s music transcends religious dogma, offering his listeners the rarity of experiencing music that possesses a socially responsible content, delivering a message of spirituality and unity.His aim is to compose music that you will want to here at home in quiet. Music, that will take you inside, away from the worlds noises and divisions.In 2007 he built the band known as “Kobina.” A set of five skilled musicians, that have played with such greats as Bob Dylan, Massive Attack and Jill Scott. Glenn Grossman on drums, Szymon Maria Rapacz on bass, Shahar Mintz on guitar, Max Slabyak ..boards and Jared Booty on Alto-Sax and background-vocals. This marriage of strong songwriter skill mixed with excellent musician-ship, turned out to be just organically right and is what you now can fully experience as “Kobina” when you go to see them. Kobina's timeless elegance and sensitivity with an understated taste and passion remains completely contemporary and true in attitude and sound. Warm, intimate and sensitive, almost spare, his songs describe the secret murmur's of the heart's desires. The songs "Strange Life" and "You Lift Me High" are almost stripped down and subtle. Kobina's laid-back grooves seduce with a warm coolness. The band attracts a diverse multi-racial audience who are drawn by the band's open-minded and intimate and musical approach to music.New projects in development include: Remix of “Catch The Moon”, Fashion Editorial Details Magazine, Lyricist & Composer of “Xtazy”, “Catch The Moon”, “I Am All The Things”.A revolutionary and great Fanti warrior, using his music as a mighty sword, wielding it against injustice, ignorance and hatred, clearing a path for respect, dignity and a greater love, is the signature of Kobina.Kobina lives with his partner in New York.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2008 @ GRAMERCY, NEW YORK, BODOG BATTLE OF THE BANDS
"The show and the turn-up was great. We rocked it around 1 AM in the morning. Thank you so much for coming out and your support.
Much love!"
From all of us at Kobina
"I want to extend my deepest gratitude to you and your band members. KOBINA rightfully deserves to be considered one of the top bands in the New York area as well as the rest of the nation."
Christian Henderson
Bodog Music
Territory Manager
Boston-Hartford-Providence-Manhattan
Berlin-London- Philadelphia-Toronto–Vancouver
"Semi Finalist band KOBINA, is a rock band with a full international appeal. A great front-man kept the crowd fully engaged as the last band of the night."
By Bodog Battle
"Wow! I seriously, enjoyed you guys. The only gay amidst the adoring chicks, I was very impressed by the band's performance. Your hot looking singer definitely had a great energy, was very engaging and had great stage presence!"
Fan
Currey Cook