{{Short description|Ghanaian hiplife artist and rapper}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Okra Tom Dawidi | image = | landscape = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank --> | alt = | caption = | native_name = | birth_name = Emmanuel Ralph Kotei Nikoi | alias = Da Kasaharilist | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1984|12|16}} | birth_place = Accra | origin = | death_date = <!-- {{death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD|df=y}} (death date 1st) --> | death_place = | genre = Hiplife | occupation = rapper | instrument = Vocals | years_active = (2003–present) | label = | website = | associated_acts = {{flatlist| *Sarkodie *Obrafour *Hammer of The Last Two *Tinny }} | yearsactive = | notable_work = | Other names = }}
'''Emmanuel Ralph Kotei Nikoi''' (born 16 December 1984), known by the stage name '''Okra Tom Dawidi''' or '''Da Kasaharilist,''' is a Ghanaian hiplife musician,<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Dzitrie |first1=Eyram |last2=Agbemava |first2=Xorlali M. K. |date=2021 |title=Kasahare: Demystifying Rap Lyricism and Artistry in Ghana's Hiplife Music |url=https://www.academia.edu/62150360 |journal=Popular Music and Society |pages=1 |issn=0300-7766}}</ref> best known for his debut hit single “Ayekoo”, which features Obrafour and Tinny.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Media cause of 'beefs' in music - Okra |url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/entertainment/showbiz-news/media-cause-of-beefs-in-music-okra.html |location=Accra, Ghana|access-date=2022-09-04 |newspaper=Daily Graphic|language=en-gb}}</ref>
== Early life and education == Okra, the third of three children, was born in La, Accra on 16 December 1984 to Mrs. Grace Kaaley Amarh, a trader, and Mr. Vincent Nikoi Kotey, former chief supply officer of the Electoral Commission of Ghana. He attended St. John's Preparatory and Junior High school in Achimota. He then proceeded to the Accra Technical Training Center. Okra Tom had always wanted to be an engineer and a professional musician.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Online |first=Peace FM |title=Do Commercial Music If You Want To Succeed - Rapper Okra Tells Artistes |url=https://www.peacefmonline.com/pages/showbiz/news/202001/399946.php |access-date=2022-09-04 |website=Peacefmonline.com - Ghana news}}</ref>
== Music career == Okra Tom Dawidi was first introduced to Hammer of the Last Two<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-05 |title='My debut album was never released by Da' Hammer' – Okra Tom Dawidi - MyJoyOnline.com |url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/my-debut-album-was-never-released-by-da-hammer-okra-tom-dawidi/ |access-date=2022-09-04 |website=www.myjoyonline.com |language=en-US}}</ref> by a friend, where the two worked on songs such as ''Ayekoo, Donto'' among others. He was featured on the Execution Diary album in 2003. He is noted for his unique style of storytelling.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Dzitrie |first1=Eyram |last2=Agbemava |first2=Xorlali M. K. |date=2022-03-15 |title=Kasahare: Demystifying Rap Lyricism and Artistry in Ghana's Hiplife Music |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/03007766.2021.1991173 |journal=Popular Music and Society |volume=45 |issue=2 |pages=202–220 |doi=10.1080/03007766.2021.1991173 |s2cid=244126145 |issn=0300-7766|doi-access=free |hdl=10067/1840190151162165141 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>
He has collaborated with several artistes, such as Sarkodie,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-10-03 |title=Sarkodie attributes his success to rapper, Okra |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/Sarkodie-attributes-his-success-to-rapper-Okra-287753 |access-date=2022-09-04 |website=GhanaWeb |language=en}}</ref> Kwaw Kese, Tinny, Obrafour, Kwabena Kwabena, Reggie Rockstone among others.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-09-02 |title=I am not retired back with fire - Okra Tom Dawidi |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/I-am-not-retired-back-with-fire-Okra-Tom-Dawidi-467069 |access-date=2022-09-04 |website=GhanaWeb |language=en}}</ref> Okra has constantly been featured in the Ghanaian animated series, Tales of Nazir.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mawuli |first=David |date=2015-12-08 |title=Animated film starring John Dumelo, Stonebwoy et al to premiere Jan. 2 |url=https://www.pulse.com.gh/entertainment/movies/tales-of-nazir-the-movie-animated-film-staring-john-dumelo-stonebwoy-et-al-to/4t1ebz9 |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=Pulse Ghana |language=en}}</ref>
== Videography == {| class="wikitable" !Year !Title !Director !Ref |- |2003 |Ayekoo ft. Tinny, Obrafour |Emklan Media Productions |<ref>{{Citation |last=YouTube |title=Okra Tom Dawidi - Ayekoo ft. Tinny [Official Video] |date=27 March 2013 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WF6ugCnOKI0 |accessdate=4 September 2022}}</ref> |- |2008 |Kosoa ft. Kwaw Kese, Jagoo |Solid Multimedia |<ref>{{Citation |title=Okra- Kosoaa (Feat. Kwaw Kesse) (Official Music Video) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P39GIruusis |language=en |access-date=2022-09-06}}</ref> |- |2017 |Fitem ft. Sarkodie |Louicage |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-02-11 |title=WATCH: Okra Tom Dawidi's Animated Music VIDEO For 'Fitem' (Feat Sarkodie) |url=https://www.ghanacelebrities.com/2017/02/11/watch-okra-tom-dawidis-animated-music-video-fitem-feat-sarkodie/ |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=GhanaCelebrities.Com |language=en-US}}</ref> |}
== Discography ==
=== Singles === {| class="wikitable" !Year !Title !Producer !Ref |- |2003 |Ayekoo ft. Tinny, Obrafour |Hammer of The Last Two | |- |2004 |Agyinamoa Kwesi |Hammer of The Last Two |<ref>{{Citation |last=GhanaWeb |title=Hammer Opens New Chapter In Hiplife |date=27 December 2004 |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/Hammer-Opens-New-Chapter-In-Hiplife-191761 |accessdate=4 September 2022}}</ref> |- |2008 |Kosoa ft. Kwaw Kese, Jagoo |Jayso | |- |2016 |You No Get Money feat. Reggie Rockstone |Richie Mensah | |- |2017 |Fitem ft. Sarkodie |Nshorna Music |<ref>{{Citation |last=Ameyaw Debrah |title=Music Video: Okra Tom Dawidi feat. Sarkodie – Fitem |date=9 February 2017 |url=https://ameyawdebrah.com/music-video-okra-tom-dawidi-feat-sarkodie-fitem/ |accessdate=4 September 2022}}</ref> |}
== References == {{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
== External links ==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Dawidi, Okra Tom}} Category:Living people Category:Ghanaian rappers Category:1984 births
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