They say a man walks a long road before finding his path. Kwame Binea has been paving his way through the art of music. Born Nana Kwame Biney Asiedu Agyemfra in West London to a single Ghanaian mother, he soon moved to Ghana to live with his grandparents, where music became his passion. Kwame was influenced by the rhythms of traditional Ghanaian and West African music as well as Reggae, Folk, and American Soul and Blues.
Moving to the United States to further his education enabled Kwame to fulfill his dream of making music. He attended William Paterson University, which is recognized as having one of the finest Jazz and Contemporary Music Programs in the country. At William Paterson, he began pursuing his musical career by teaming up with fellow musicians, creating a classic rock, blues and soul band, The Kause.
After leaving The Kause, Kwame met songwriting partner Justin Wilcox at a recording session in Union City, NJ. Initially performing as an acoustic act, their iconic sound drew the attention of other talented musicians hailing from NY and NJ. As his band grew larger, the music developed both lyrically and sonically making Kwame's Harlem apartment walls rattle. As a result, the 'Uptown Shakedown' was born.
Kwame Binea's electrifying live performances with the solid musicianship of his band, the 'Uptown Shakedown,' built a following as diverse as New York City. His fans were able to watch him perform all over iconic New York City music venues including Brooklyn Bowl, Mercury Lounge, Rockwood Music Hall, Sullivan Hall, The Bitter End, Kenny's Castaway and their Summer Residency at Arlene's Grocery as well as shows across the East Coast.
Kwame, the singer/songwriter, has made his home in Harlem, New York where he continues to spread the message of peace, love and music. His strength in music has been shaped by the diversity of cultures he has experienced, and his passion and intensity of spreading positivity through Music are symbols of who Kwame Binea is.
"My music is organic," says Kwame, "it's about life, love and struggle, but it's danceable. We make music that moves you and that makes you move."
Kwame is currently putting the finishing touches on his first solo EP, Rock & Roll Shakedown.
