Daddy Lumba Dies: Highlife Legend Explains How He Got His Famous Stage Name in Old Video
- Late highlife legend Daddy Lumba's famous nickname/stage name was not something he planned
- In an old interview, the highlife icon explained that Lumba was a South African expression that means freedom
- According to him, the name was the title of a song he composed for freedom fighters while in school, which stuck with him
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The passing of Highlife music icon Daddy Lumba has thrown Ghana into a state of national mourning.
Since the news of Lumba's passing on Saturday, July 26, 2025, was announced, there has been a massive outpour of tributes, with many prominent Ghanaians visiting his East Legon residence to condole with the family.
Source: Instagram
The sombre atmosphere and the many tributes attest to the star power of Daddy Lumba. In his life, he established himself as one of the greatest musicians to ever walk the shores of Ghana.
As the nation mourns, a throwback video has emerged with Lumba shedding light on the circumstances that led him to adopt his famous stage name.
How Daddy Lumba got his stage name
According to the Highlife legend, the name Lumba first came up while he was in secondary school at Juaben in the Ashanti Region.
In a video interview at the time, he explained that he did not come up with the name, but it was given to him by coincidence. He said he composed a song in 1984 about South Africa's freedom fighters, and its title was Lumba, which means freedom.
"I think it was in 1984 when I composed a song. I wrote a song for the freedom fighters in South Africa, and the title was Lumba Lumba, freedom freedom. That's how I got the name. I didn't decide to take the name Lumba, it was given to me, and I love it," he said.
Watch the video of Daddy Lumba explaining his name below:
Daddy Lumba's life, career, and legacy
Born Charles Kwadwo Fosu on September 29, 1964, in Nsuta in the Ashanti Region to J.K. Fosu and Comfort Gyamfi, a.k.a. Ama Saah, all of blessed memory, Lumba rose from obscurity to become one of Ghana's biggest musicians ever.
Lumba started singing in his childhood and was the leader of Juaben Senior High School choir from 1983 until he completed in 1985. At Juaben SHS, he formed the Lumba Brothers group with two male friends and his then-girlfriend, Theresa Abebrese.
Upon completion of his secondary school education, Lumba travelled to Germany with the help of Abebrese. He met Ernest Nana Acheampong, who was already playing for a band in Germany. Through their meeting, Lumba, who was only a gospel singer, experimented with highlife and never looked back.
Source: Facebook
The two picked the old Lumba Brothers name when they decided to form a group and released their debut album, Yɛɛyɛ Aka Akwantuo Mu in 1989. Recorded in 1986, the album was not released until three years later due to financial constraints. Lumba's then-wife, Akosua Serwaa, produced the album.
After the maiden album, Lumba went solo and released over 30 albums, many of which are critically acclaimed and commercially acclaimed. Among his many hit songs are Aben Wo Ha, Tokrom, Makramo, Ye Nea Woho Betowo, and Bribi Gyegye Wo.
Watch a video of Daddy Lumba's Aben Wo Ha below:
Nana Ampadu's wife eulogises Daddy Lumba
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that the late Nana Ampadu's wife, Joyce Ampadu, has spoken highly of Daddy Lumba, following the musician's passing.
Madam Joyce, in a video, described the late Lumba as a kind person who gave her money for upkeep after her husband's passing in 2021.
Nana Ampadu's wife shared this side of Lumba when she visited his residence to mourn with his family on July 30, 2025.
Source: YEN.com.gh
