Ghana is mourning the loss of highlife legend Charles Kwadwo Fosu, better known as Daddy Lumba, who passed away on July 26, 2025, at the age of 60. His death sparked an outpouring of national grief and an unprecedented surge in music streaming that has cemented his enduring influence.
On the day of his passing, Lumba’s reflective ballad “Makra Mo” a song long associated with memorials and spiritual contemplation recorded a staggering 2,513% spike in Spotify streams compared to the previous day. The song’s meditations on mortality and farewell have kept it at the top of Ghana’s streaming charts ever since.
Other deeply emotional tracks experienced similar resurgences. His duet with Ateaa Tina, “Adaka Teaa”, which questions the worth of material possessions in the face of death, saw a 1,412% increase. “Ankwanoma”, a moving portrait of loneliness and resilience, jumped 1,017%, underscoring how profoundly listeners connected with Lumba’s most introspective work during this period of mourning.
While the first day of streaming focused on his solemn ballads, the second day brought a shift fans began revisiting the full breadth of his artistry. The romantic classic “Ma To Odo Mu”, a lush ode to passionate love, surged 907% to top the charts. “Medo Wasem Bebree”, cherished for its rich storytelling, rose 853%, while upbeat hits like “Yee Ye Aka Akwantuom” (with Nana Acheampong) and the iconic “Aben Wo Ha” famed for its sensual delivery and signature dance returned to prominence.
Since his passing, at least 20 of Lumba’s songs have consistently ranked among Ghana’s top Spotify streams each day. The platform’s curated playlist, “This Is Daddy Lumba”, now serves as both a tribute and a comprehensive journey through his career from soul-stirring ballads to timeless love songs.
Over more than three decades, Daddy Lumba released upwards of 30 albums and an estimated 200 songs, blending traditional Twi highlife with modern influences to create a sound deeply woven into Ghana’s cultural fabric.
Though his voice has fallen silent, his music continues to fill homes, playlists, and hearts ensuring that his legacy lives on in rhythm and melody.
