Frank Elinam Cobbinah (born 24 December 1983), commonly known by his stage name Atumpan, is a
Ghanaian
afrobeats
Afrobeats (not to be confused with Afrobeat or Afroswing), or Afro-pop or Afro-fusion (or Afropop or Afrofusion), is an umbrella term to describe popular music from West Africa and the diaspora that initially developed in Nigeria, Ghana, and ...
and dancehall singer. Cobbinah founded his own record label which signs predominantly Afro beats artists.
Early years and education
Born on 24 December 1983, Cobbinah hails from Avenor in the
Volta Region of Ghana and began making music in his early school days. He had his basic education at Yaa Asantewaa M/A primary and junior secondary school at
Kumasi in the
Ashanti Region and continued to
Boa Amponsem senior secondary school in the
Central Region of Ghana, where he served as entertainment prefect. In 2002 he was admitted to
Wiawso College of Education
The Wiawso College of Education is a teacher education college in the Sefwi-Wiawso District, Western North Region, Ghana. The college participated in the DFID-funded T-TEL programme. It is affiliated to the University of Education, Winneba.
E ...
, where he trained as a professional teacher. In October 2008, he gained admission to the
University of Education, Winneba, where he read for a bachelor's degree course in Linguistics, majoring in English Language.
Recognition and musical style
Cobbinah began performing as Atumpan (meaning Talking Drum in the
Akan language
Akan () is a Central Tano language and the principal native language of the Akan people of Ghana, spoken over much of the southern half of Ghana. About 80% of Ghana's population can speak Akan, and about 44% of Ghanaians are native speakers. I ...
) in 2011, when he released a major hit called "The Thing". "The Thing" gained him nominations for Best New Artiste of the year, Best Afro pop Song of the Year, and Best Collaboration of the year in the 2012 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards.
In 2013, he was nominated for Best African Act in the 2013
MOBO Awards and also won the Best International Afrobeats Act in the 2013 BEFFTA Awards.
Cobbinah in 2014 received nomination in the Urban Music Awards for the Best African/Afrobeat Act along with
Sarkodie and
Fuse ODG
Currently with Hardboy Music, Atumpan's recent hit singles include "Regina" and "Gimme some more", which feature
Samini and
Sarkodie respectively.
Awards and nominations
Ghana Music Awards
* "Best New Artist 2012" - Nominee
* "Best New Artist Of The Year" - Nominee
* "Best Collaboration of the Year" - Nominee
BEFFTA Awards
The Black Entertainment, Film, Fashion, Television, Arts and Sports Awards (commonly abbreviated as BEFFTA) are an awards ceremony aimed at honouring the best entertainment, showbiz, leadership and sports personalities from the black and ethnic ...
* "Best International Afrobeats Act" - Won
MOBO Awards
* "Best African Act" - Nominee
Urban Music Awards Awards
* "Best African/Afrobeat Act" - WON
Ghana Music Awards UK
* UK-based artist of the year
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Atumpan
1983 births
Living people
Ghanaian musicians
University of Education, Winneba alumni