Ghanaian musician Worlasi has expressed second thoughts about a time past when he declined an opportunity to work as a teaching assistant at a university.
The thoughts follow his recent time at the English department of the University of Ghana, Legon, during the ‘ENGL 314: Introduction to African Literature class.
He addressed the literature students at the request of his host, English lecturer Dr. Kwabena Opoku-Agyemang.
“Before I started doing music, I was called upon to be a teaching assistant (TA) back in university but I couldn’t do it because of music. I wanted to come back to Accra and start doing music. I kinda declined.”
He cited the Takoradi Technical University.
But I think after that day [with the University of Ghana English students], I felt like okay, this is something I might want to be doing often because the entire thing happened really naturally,” he added.
The music producer and award-winning rapper reflected “The students asked questions without hesitating, I also answered without hesitating. It was very natural. I liked the energy that was going round – the back and forth, I was being myself and so there wasn’t any point where I felt somebody was saying anything to hurt me because I was just being myself, and being myself was perfect.”
During his time at the Legon, Accra campus, the student audience cited their favorites from his repertoire and “often referenced ‘Mawena’, ‘Worla: the Man and the God’ album,” with special attention for the album track ‘We All Go Die’, “because their lecturer often referenced it together with ‘One Life’ with Sena Dagadu and Six Strings.”
As a guest lecturer, Worlasi, often called ‘Waaska’ or ‘Worla’, had two hours with the class.
“I think it made me understand who I was even more because I could see, and they reminded me of some of the things I’ve even forgotten about myself basically.”
His host, Dr. Kwabena Opoku-Agyemang, was surprised to hear he’d turned down a TA offer.
“It’s unfortunate he didn’t agree to be a TA. He’s very engaging, personable, and charismatic. I would love to hear that he’s teaching his craft at an institution someday. I’ll also be relying on him for further engagements in this manner.”
Worlasi Langani has worked with some of Ghana’s megastars including Sarkodie, EL, and his frequent collaborator M.anifest. He is releasing an album soon but hasn’t communicated a date or title yet.