In his newly released sophomore album, 5 Star, King Promise features two of Nigeria’s finest: Omah Lay and Patoranking, the former in 10 Toes, the latter in CHOPLIFE. In my interview with the Ghanaian, he says he enjoys working with Nigerian musicians as much as he enjoys the Nigerian jollof rice. The delicacy, and occasionally football, often comes in between Ghanaians and Nigerians, like a great Berlin Wall of disagreement. Asked whether he prefers the Nigerian or Ghanaian variety, King Promise goes the diplomatic route: he laughs, and laughs some more, his cackle of delight as expansive as his new album — it comprises 15 tracks.
Though he resists the food critic’s role, King Promise, whose real name is Gregory Bortey Newman, is more than eager to remark on 5 Star. We discuss the title of the album’s first track, Iniesta, named after the nimble-footed Spanish footballer. In his heyday, the bald Spaniard was renowned for his silky first touch, his force of vision and surgical passing, qualities which allowed him to maintain a masterful presence on the pitch. King Promise says he feels like Iniesta, like an orchestrator, not just in the first track but in the entire album. That King Promise has a dome as hairless as the Spaniard’s somehow makes the simile more believable.
King Promise’s first album As Promised was released in 2019. The following year he released the EP, Love, and Happiness. In this interview, which has been slightly edited for clarity and concision, the Ghanaian reflects on his new album 5 Star and tells us what he has got lined up for the remainder of the year.
What inspired the title of your new album, 5 Star? It didn’t come to you as you sat in the bathroom of some 5-star hotel, did it?
The whole 5 Star thing started two years ago. I was in America. Man dem wanted to stay in the Bronx, but I was staying in Manhattan. So we started laughing, and they were like, “you like 5-star movement”. It just got stuck. People called me 5 Star for a while. In the album, the vibes and energy is 5-star.
What is 5 Star all about? And how was it like working with Patoranking and Omah Lay?
I’m someone you call an album artist. As much as I’m a singles artist, people do actually wait for my album. I don’t rush the process. I take my time and need to enjoy myself making the music. Over the last three years, a lot has changed. And you can hear the growth in 5 Star. I started with the album As Promised; now I talked about things that I probably wouldn’t have been able to speak about in my first album, as I was just growing up and experiencing things. So in 5 Star, I sing about everything: me overthinking, me working hard, me professing love, and still giving that Chop Life anthem. I just kept it as real as possible. It’s my story, my truth.
I have a good relationship with Omah Lay and Patoranking. I was on Patoranking’s last album, and it was only right that he was on my album. And Omah Lay is family: we’ve hung out many times, in Ghana, America, everywhere. It was only right that we made music together. I like to make music with people that I’m a fan of myself, so I can keep it as real as possible.
You’ve got 15 songs in your new album, the exact number as in your debut album, As Promised, which was released in 2019. Does the number 15 mean anything to you?
Honestly, it’s just a coincidence. Initially, I wanted the album to be just 11 songs. But as time went on, we just kept changing it and adding to it. I traveled to the UK to have it mixed and mastered and I ended up making more songs that I felt were needed on the album.
What’s your creative process like?
I leave it to life. So I might have an idea, but if something comes up and I feel like it’s great and I need to change or add something, then I do it. Being creative, I think, is like being a magician. You have to let that magic flow. I just leave it to the vibes. As long as it feels right, I just do it.
Let’s talk about your European tour
I had to postpone the tour because I wanted the album to drop first. But now that the album is out, we are about to announce new tour dates. Whenever I go on tour, it’s madness. For my first album As Promised, we had one of the craziest tours ever. I can wait to redo that on a bigger level. I’m really looking forward to it.
How would you say your childhood experiences have stayed with you musically?
I’m from a very average family. I have three sisters, I’m the only guy. Born and bred in Ghana. My environment and my life are what inspire my music. I put my language into my music. My upbringing, too. Also, I grew up on a lot of Ghanaian music. My dad played a lot of that, a lot of highlife. I listened to a lot of American music as well. Backstreet Boys, Westlife… I listened to Reggae, too — Sean Paul. And RnB — Usher. All of these push-started my love for music, even though I didn’t think I was going to be an artist right from time — I wanted to be a footballer. At one point, a journalist, a pilot… But I guess this is the path God chose for me, and I’m thankful to be in this position where I can bring joy to people through my music.
The first track in 5 Star is titled Iniesta. You’re not an FC Barcelona fan, are you?
No o. I’m a big Chelsea fan! I know Iniesta did a bad thing to Chelsea in the Champions League; let’s not talk about it. As much as I’m a Chelsea fan, Iniesta is one player I really admire. The way he controls the game, the way he passes. On this album, I felt like I was Iniesta, that I was controlling the game. So that’s why I made that reference.
Given the chance, which artists would you like to work with?
Drake, Chris Brown, Daddy Lumba, Tiwa Savage… Tiwa and I have spoken about doing a record, but we just haven’t made it happen yet.
You turn 27 on August 16. Looking back, would you change anything as it relates to your music career?
I’m thankful for everything that’s happened in my life, all my experiences. All those things are why I am the man I am today. So I wouldn’t change anything.
What non-music activity do you enjoy doing?
Playing FIFA. TV shows — some of my favorites are Game of Thrones, Peaky Blinders, Blacklist, and Vikings. I just started watching Stranger Things, but I don’t know how I feel about it yet. I also play football when I have the time to go on the field.
Have you got any project lined up for the remainder of the year?
My tour is what I’m looking forward to now. Being on stage is like my happy place. Then I have my show that I do in Ghana every December. It’s called The Promised Land. I’m looking forward to that.