{{Short description|Ghanaian musician and fine art painter (born 1990)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2026}}{{Infobox musical artist | name = Epixode | image = | birth_name = Theophilus Nii Arday Otoo | birth_date = 16 March 1990 | birth_place = Jamestown, Accra, Ghana | genre = Reggae, Dancehall, Highlife | occupation = Singer, songwriter, painter, creative director | instrument = Vocals | years_active = 2010–present | label = | website = }}
'''Theophilus Nii Arday Otoo''' (born 16 March 1990), known professionally as '''Epixode''', is a Ghanaian reggae–dancehall singer, painter, and creative director.<ref>{{cite web |title=Vpal Music to release Epixode's new single Gyal dem sugar |work=GhanaWeb |date=9 February 2017 |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/Vpal-Music-to-release-Epixode-s-new-single-Gyal-dem-suga-508431 |access-date=5 August 2025}}</ref>
== Early life == Epixode was born and raised in Jamestown, Accra, where he was exposed to traditional Ghanaian music through his mother, a cultural music performer. He began writing and performing music in his early teens, winning local dancehall competitions by the early 2010s.<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 February 2017 |title=Vpal Music to release Epixode's new single 'Gyal dem suga' |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/Vpal-Music-to-release-Epixode-s-new-single-Gyal-dem-suga-508431 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241228191619/https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/Vpal-Music-to-release-Epixode-s-new-single-Gyal-dem-suga-508431 |archive-date=28 December 2024 |access-date=5 August 2025 |work=GhanaWeb |language=en-US |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Career == Epixode's style blends reggae, dancehall, highlife, and Afrobeats, using English, Ga, Twi, and Jamaican patois. His singles include ''Atia'',<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 May 2023 |title='I made history' - Epixode speaks on how 'Atia' rekindled Highlife music |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/I-made-history-Epixode-speaks-on-how-lsquo-Atia-rsquo-rekindled-Highlife-music-1765655 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241219130538/https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/I-made-history-Epixode-speaks-on-how-lsquo-Atia-rsquo-rekindled-Highlife-music-1765655 |archive-date=19 December 2024 |access-date=5 August 2025 |work=GhanaWeb |language=en-US |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Stubborn Souljah'', ''Too Much'',<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 June 2020 |title=WATCH: Epixode cements creative position with "Too Much" |url=https://www.classfmonline.com/entertainment/WATCH-Epixode-cements-creative-position-with-Too-Much-15158 |access-date=5 August 2025 |website=www.classfmonline.com |language=en}}</ref> ''Wahala Dey'',<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 October 2019 |title=Epixode releases video of his song on social justice 'Wahala Dey' |url=https://citinewsroom.com/2019/10/epixode-releases-video-of-his-song-on-social-justice-wahala-dey/ |access-date=5 August 2025 |language=en-US}}</ref> and ''Efie Nsem.''<ref>{{Cite web |title=I am a 'mad' and difficult artiste to work with – Epixode - MyJoyOnline |url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/i-am-a-mad-and-difficult-artiste-to-work-with-epixode/ |access-date=5 August 2025 |language=en-US|date=21 June 2022|last=Larbi|first=Nana Qwame}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Ghana's music will sell more if we document it well - Epixode - MyJoyOnline |url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/ghanas-music-will-sell-more-if-we-document-it-well-epixode/ |access-date=5 August 2025 |language=en-US|date=2 September 2023|last=Nyaame|first=Joan}}</ref>
In 2023, he performed at the Afro Summer Jam in Switzerland.<ref>{{Cite web |last=GNA |date=18 July 2023 |title=Epixode recounts memorable performance at Highlife concert in Switzerland |url=https://gna.org.gh/2023/07/epixode-recounts-memorable-performance-at-highlife-concert-in-switzerland/ |access-date=5 August 2025 |website=Ghana News Agency |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=10 June 2023 |title=Epixode, Adane, Okyeame Kwame, other superstars to headline Ghana Day Festival in Switzerland |url=https://citinewsroom.com/2023/06/epixode-adane-okyeame-kwame-other-superstars-to-headline-ghana-day-festival-in-switzerland/ |access-date=5 August 2025 |language=en-US}}</ref> He also performed at the Reggae Geel in Belgium, and headlined the Highlife Konnect Concert in Zurich in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 July 2023 |title=Epixode recounts memorable performance at Highlife concert in Switzerland |url=https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/entertainment/epixode-switzerland/2023/ |access-date=5 August 2025 |language=en-US}}</ref> He has also stated publicly that he sees himself as part of a movement to revive Ghanaian highlife music.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rekindling love for Highlife, my priority - Epixode |work=GhanaWeb |date=11 April 2024 |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/Rekindling-love-for-Highlife-my-priority-Epixode-1925595 |access-date=5 August 2025}}</ref>
=== Notable collaborations ===
* Stonebwoy – collaborated on ''Jehovah''<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 March 2018 |title=Epixode recounts music journey on 'Jeovah' ft. Stonebwoy |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/Epixode-recounts-music-journey-on-Jeovah-ft-Stonebwoy-636091 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104151256/https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/Epixode-recounts-music-journey-on-Jeovah-ft-Stonebwoy-636091 |archive-date=4 January 2025 |access-date=5 August 2025 |work=GhanaWeb |language=en-US |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Awards and recognition ==
=== Vodafone Ghana Music Awards ===
* 2021: Winner – Best Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year<ref>{{Cite web |title=Epixode hopes to be as big as Grammy winner Kabaka Pyramid 'one day' - MyJoyOnline |url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/epixode-hopes-to-be-as-big-as-grammy-winner-kabaka-pyramid-one-day/ |access-date=5 August 2025 |language=en-US|date=7 February 2023|last=Dadzie|first=Kwame}}</ref> * 2024: Winner – Reggae/Dancehall Song of the Year<ref>{{cite web |title=Epixode acknowledges fans support after latest VGMA win |date=11 May 2023 |url=https://gna.org.gh/2023/05/epixode-acknowledges-fans-support-after-latest-vgma-win/ |access-date=5 August 2025}}</ref> * TGMAs 2025 Music for Good Award winner<ref>{{Cite news |last=Francis |date=24 May 2025 |title=Telecel honours Epixode with Music for Good Award at 26th TGMAs |url=https://thebftonline.com/2025/05/24/telecel-honours-epixode-with-music-for-good-award-at-26th-tgmas/ |location=Accra, Ghana|access-date=5 August 2025 |newspaper=Business and Financial Times|language=en-GB}}</ref>
=== International Reggae and World Music Awards ===
* 2021: Nominated – Best African Entertainer<ref>{{cite web |title=IRAWMA Awards: Shatta Wale, Epixode, Stonebwoy others nominated |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/I‑RAWMA‑Awards‑Shatta‑Wale‑Epixode‑Stonebwoy‑others‑nominated‑2020‑548123 |access-date=5 August 2025 }}{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>
== Artistry == Epixode is a trained visual artist. He has designed album art, stage visuals, and promotional graphics, and is credited with creating the SM logo for Shatta Wale.<ref>{{Cite web |title="I designed Shatta Movement Family logo" - Epixode {{!}} Pulse Ghana |url=https://www.pulse.com.gh/articles/entertainment/celebrities/video-i-designed-shatta-movement-family-logo-epixode-2024080121360362945 |access-date=5 August 2025 |website=www.pulse.com.gh |language=en|date=11 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Epixode talks headlining project ft Gucci Mane, Kabaka Pyramid, Bounty Killer, others |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/Epixode-talks-headlining-project-ft-Gucci-Mane-Kabaka-Pyramid-Bounty-Killer-others-1188490 |access-date=5 August 2025|date=24 February 2021|website=GhanaWeb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Times |first=Ghanaian |date=13 July 2019 |title=Educate young artistes to sign musical contracts - Epixode |url=https://ghanaiantimes.com.gh/%EF%BB%BFeducate-young-artistes-to-sign-musical-contracts-epixode/ |location=Accra, Ghana|access-date=5 August 2025 |newspaper=Ghanaian Times|language=en}}</ref> He also advocates for preserving Ghana's music heritage through cataloging and archiving artist works.<ref>{{cite web |title=I made history – Epixode speaks on 'Atia' rekindled Highlife music |work=GhanaWeb |date=12 May 2023 |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/I-made-history-Epixode-speaks-on-how-lsquo-Atia-rsquo-rekindled-Highlife-music-1765655 |access-date=5 August 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Highlife is the sound of the future - Epixode - MyJoyOnline |url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/highlife-is-the-sound-of-the-future-epixode/ |access-date=5 August 2025 |language=en-US|date=5 September 2023|last=Mensah|first=Walter}}</ref> In 2024, he launched a cultural initiative coaching underserved youth in arts and music.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Epixode engages upcoming musicians in a music development seminar |url=https://www.faapa.info/en/epixode-engages-upcoming-musicians-in-a-music-development-seminar/ }}{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>
== Discography ==
=== Singles and EPs ===
* Atia (Hi Life Rendition) featuring Kwabena Kwabena (2022)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Teye |first=Abigail |date=2 June 2025 |title="Only Kwabena Kwabena responded after reaching out to many highlife artistes for Atia Donko remix" - Epixode |url=https://asaaseradio.com/only-kwabena-kwabena-responded-after-reaching-out-to-many-highlife-artistes-for-atia-donko-remix-epixode/ |access-date=7 August 2025 |website=Asaase Radio |language=en-US}}</ref> * Jehovah featuring Stonebwoy (2022)<ref>{{Cite web |last=yghanadmin |date=19 March 2018 |title=Listen Up: Epixode features Stonebwoy on 'Jehovah' |url=https://yfmghana.com/listen-up-epixode-features-stonebwoy-on-jehovah/ |access-date=7 August 2025 |website=YFM Ghana |language=en-US}}</ref> * Stubborn Souljah (2023)<ref name=":0" /> * Obra (Nyame Bra) featuring Santrofi (2023)<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 April 2023 |title=Epixode release new highlife jam, "O'bra (Onyame Bra)" featuring Santrofi Band - AmeyawDebrah.com |url=https://ameyawdebrah.com/epixode-release-new-highlife-jam-obra-onyame-bra-featuring-santrofi-band/ |access-date=7 August 2025 |language=en-US}}</ref> * Millions (2025)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Musicians should be decorous in their choice of lyrics - Epixode |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/Musicians-should-be-decorous-in-their-choice-of-lyrics-Epixode-1985271|date=25 May 2025|access-date=15 March 2026|website=GhanaWeb}}</ref> * Agbo (2025) * Chop n' Go (2024) * Obi Girl (2024) * Chooboi (2024) * Nyash featuring Krus Band (2024) * Efie Nsem with Krus Band (2024)
=== Albums / EPs ===
* ''Atia – The Archive'' (2022)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Otchere |first=Gertrude Owireduwaah |date=19 October 2022 |title=Epixode unveils tracklist for 'Atia Archive' EP - Adomonline.com |url=https://www.adomonline.com/epixode-unveils-tracklist-for-atia-archive-ep/ |access-date=7 August 2025 |language=en-US}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
==External links==
* [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCANtSMI9Vu7MxMD8nUicdWQ Epixode Music]
Category:1990 births Category:Living people Category:Ghanaian reggae musicians Category:Ghanaian highlife musicians Category:Ghanaian male singers Category:21st-century Ghanaian male singers Category:People from Accra Category:Ghanaian songwriters Category:Ghanaian record producers Category:Afrobeats musicians Category:21st-century Ghanaian painters