Adulthood arrives with the promise of autonomy, yet the reality lands differently from the version imagined in childhood. Nana Osei Twum Barima addresses this disillusionment on “Message to My Ancestors.” The Ghanaian musician, now based in Ghent, frames the song as a direct inquiry into the weight of adult life, posing a question to his lineage and seeking clarity on the realities of survival that remained hidden during his youth.

The music centres on the seperewa, the traditional Ghanaian harp-lute central to his practice, alongside sitar from Nicolas Mortelmans and bass guitar from King Phi Lafaro. Drawing from Akan musical forms, the arrangement holds a clear acoustic focus, Ghanaian, South Asian, and Western string traditions pulled into the same space.

The track is the second single from his debut album, Journey to the Unknown, due June 12th through Zephyrus Records.

Listen to “Message to My Ancestors” HERE and pre-order Journey to the Unknown via THIS LINK