Emmanuel Kofi Botwe, known in showbiz as Kwaw Kese, has opened up in an interview with George Quaye on Prime Time on Joy Prime, offering insight into his life, beliefs, struggles and aspirations beyond music.

Born a Christian, Kwaw Kese explained that his spiritual journey has evolved over time. He now identifies as a traditionalist and herbalist, stressing that faith, for him, goes beyond rigid labels.

"I was born into a Christian home so in Ghana you identify as a Christian but growing up I went through some transformations. Ata point I started practicing Islam, and they gave me the name Kamal. And later I delved into traditional religion because I believe that is for us. There is a saying that the Bible was brought by the white man. Before they came we were worshipping God," he said.

Asked where he stands at present as in terms of religion, he said "I am a traditionalist, herbalist."

Kwaw Kese spoke with pride about fatherhood, revealing that he is blessed with three children, two girls and a boy. He shared his excitement over his daughters’ growing talents, noting that they already play the piano and sing. For him, legacy is everything. He believes that at least one of his children must follow his path and take their talent global, carrying the family’s name beyond Ghana’s borders.

Before music defined his life, Kwaw Kese dreamed of becoming a lawyer. While attending Winneba Senior High School, he consistently ranked among the top five students. His only academic hurdle was French, which he struggled with due to what he described as an uninspiring teaching approach. Despite everything, the dream of law has not faded. He says that if the opportunity arises, he would still love to pursue it. With humour, he added that he would gladly defend artistes such as Shatta Wale, Kwesi Arthur, Black Sherif, Stonebwoy and Wendy Shay, joking added that if Shatta Wale is stubborn, then he would be an equally stubborn lawyer.

Shedding more light on his music career, Kwaw revealed that his first nickname in school was Montaking. The name “Kwaw Kese” later emerged from his family history, inspired by a relative who was a warrior. Kese, meaning “big”, was added to symbolise strength and presence.

His journey into music was far from glamorous. By his own admission, his first single, “Eye Nonsense” in 2004, was raw and experimental, inspired by heartbreak from his girlfriend, who allowed another man to “peregrinate” her. The track appeared on The Execution Diary, a compilation album by Hammer of the Last Two, and it became an instant hit, putting Kwaw Kese on the national radar. He later released his debut solo album, Na Ya Tal, in 2005, firmly establishing himself as a bold, street-rooted voice in Ghanaian hiplife and hip-hop. He credited Dogo for introducing him to Hammer, whom he described not just as a producer but as a director who values quality over speed. According to Kwaw, no matter how much you pay Hammer, if you do not sound good on the beat, you simply will not record.

On politics, Kwaw Kese was clear: he belongs to no political party but any political party that wants him, he is ready for business. However, he is open to serving Ghana. When he gains enough financial strength, he plans to enter politics, starting as a Member of Parliament. He believes the country’s future depends on young people actively participating in governance, pointing out that many creatives are already making meaningful contributions in politics.

One of the most painful moments of his life remains the murder of his close friend and manager, Fennec Okyere. Kwaw recalled being in the shower when Fennec’s houseboy called with the devastating news. He rushed to the scene and found his friend lying in a pool of blood. They had been together just a day earlier, planning future projects. The shock and trauma, he said, deeply affected both his career and personality. He does not believe the murder was a robbery, insisting it was a contract killing since nothing was stolen from the house. Although he was detained for questioning, he remains disturbed by the lack of closure and official communication from the police.

Addressing his controversial arrest in Kumasi, Kwaw clarified that it had nothing to do with public smoking, contrary to popular belief. He later learned that the arresting officer was allegedly acting out of jealousy, as his wife was a die-hard fan of the musician. What began as a joke quickly escalated into an arrest.

Looking ahead, Kwaw Kese revealed that he has released a single from his upcoming album From Far, which he hopes to officially drop in May.

Despite fame, controversy, loss and personal evolution, Kwaw Kese remains grounded in one enduring truth: purpose outlives pain. And for him, the journey from far is far from over.