ADDIS-A-BLACK

ADDIS-A-BLACK is a concept of world music artist Andrew Kwame Okae Asare AKA "BENSHALI " from Kumasi, Ghana, currently residing in the historic City of Seven Hills, Worcester, Massachusetts. His sound is a distinctive fusion of rhythmically dynamic and ethereal elements rooted in The Most High, ancestral African traditions and the enduring legacy of African Resistance and cultural heritage.

From an early age, Benshali developed a deep passion for music. As a teenager, he immersed himself in a wide spectrum of sounds, drawing inspiration from African music, Reggae, Funk, R&B, Rock, Blues and Soul. These influences would later shape his unique musical identity.

Around 1987, he transitioned from an avid listener to an active creator, beginning to compose original songs and play the bass guitar. During this period, he performed and collaborated with neighborhood friends, local bands, and college musicians in Ghana, and later in the United States, gaining valuable experience and musical perspective. It was during those early creative and collaborative periods that he met his life long brother and Kindred Spirit in sound Kwasi Anokye  aka 7FIRESIDE.

Following college, Benshali stepped away from active performing for a time, entering a long  hiatus. Despite the pause in live performance, his dedication to music never faded. Throughout the years, he continued writing and composing, building a rich catalog of songs rooted in spiritual reflection, Black cultural identity, and rhythmic exploration.

2026 marks the beginning of a new chapter, as Benshali begins releasing the music he has been crafting over decades—bringing his long-held artistic vision to life and sharing it with audiences around the world....ADDIS-A-BLACK.