In the early nineties the introduction of a new genre of music brought to the fore a new generation of musicians, some of who have championed this cause up until today. Very influential amongst them is TIC-TAC a name that is synonymous withthe genre Hip LIFE & AFRO BEAT.

Nana Kwaku Okyere Duah aka Tic-Tac is originally from Kwamo a suburb of the Ashanti Region.

The story began in 1997, when he and another boy formed a group named ‘Natty Strangers’. Young as they were they became the toast of many shows. Tic-Tac stood out from the rest of the group, his voice described by most as similar to Busta Rhymes.

Tic-Tac went on to feature on Azigiza’s ‘Woye Bia’ which became a big hit in Ghana. He then went to collaborate with Slim Buster’s ‘Masan Aba’ and Dassebre’s ‘Ahofe. These collaborations helped Tic -Tac establish a name for himself in the industry.

‘Philomena’ featuring obrafour and NanaQuame. Click to watch: http://youtu.be/QTDiIHV6fK8

his debut album hit the streets in June 1999 and saw songs like ‘KKBK’ and ‘MMAA 4MULA’top the charts in Ghana for several weeks.

The pressure was on after ‘Masom’ to deliver a another hit album, but it wasn’t until the third album ‘Masem’ which means ‘my story’ in 2003 that gave him another big hit ‘Menkabio’ fondly called(Shoddies) a ladies song which stayed on the local charts for not less than 23consecutive weeks. This gave him 6 nominations at the Ghana Music Awards and won him best collaboration.

After a two-year hiatus which gave him the opportunity to develop his songwriting skills and himself lyrically, Tic-Tac released his fourth album ‘Wope’ in2005. An album dedicated to Africans within and in the Diaspora. He became the first hip life artist to collaborate with anyone outside of Ghana with FreddieMeiway of Ivory Coast ‘Wope’ and Nigerian star Tony Tetuila on the explosive‘Fefe Na Efe’, which received several awards around the world.

Over his 9-year career he has managed to win no less than 11 Music Awards,performed at the Notting Hill Carnival in London, also alongside artists such as 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Kanda Bongo man, Judy Boucher, Mark Morrison, Buju Banton, and Joe. Tic-Tac continues to break new grounds, 2004 saw him pick up the coveted Musician of the Year Award at the Ghana Music Awards and became the1st ever hip life artist to become the face of Kasa a popular phone card in the UK to call Africa.

The GMA Awards that took place in April 2005, Tic-Tac had a record nine nominations, including two nominations in the Best Collaboration category a first for any Ghanaian artist. Which he won.

He is also the first Ghanaian urban music star to become a brand ambassador

In late 2005 he took part in the MTV Base Africa launch in Ghana together with VIP, Sqatta Camp from South Africa and events like the Shore ditch festival inthe UK as part of Africa 05, the biggest celebration of African culture ever organised in Britain sees him crossing over into the commercial market. BBC News Round came to Ghana to film a documentary on him as part of their African Lives season, which was screened in the UK in July 2005. Another highlight of2005, he headlined a Black history month show in Southwark, performing alongside Ras Kwame (BBC Radio 1), Richard Black wood,( Choice FM) Kelly le Roc and Shola Ama.

2006 is currently involved in a campaign with the United Nations in Sierra Leone and Ghana alongside Ramsey Noah and Oswald Boateng, as part of the WFP raising funds for children.

In 2003 he become the vice chairman of the Greater Accra region of the Musicians Union of Ghana MUSIGA, and is constantly involved in numerous campaigns with MUSIGA to educate and unite the musicians of Ghana.

Tic Tac performed at 2006 RISE Festival 80,000 people gathered to part-take ofthe annual celebration. He was the highlight of the African Village stage. RISE has been major music and entertainment festival for all Londoners and for the last 5 years, has been the prominent showcase of the Mayor of London's commitment to cultivating and developing the capital as a great mufti-cultural city with a proactive campaign that denounces racism and works to eradicate it.

Also in attendance from Ghana were Ghana’s Tourism Minister Mr. Jake Obetsebi Lamptey and the late Minister Madam Hawa Yakubu.

Whilst in London he recorded a live session on Ras Kwame’s award winning radio show which was broadcasted on Radio 1 and BBC 1xtra in July 06.

Puma Africa released a compilation album featuring the biggest artists in the world, In aid of the 2006 Fifa World cup the album featured Tic-Tac, Akon, John legend, Baaba Maal and The Roots.

In August 2006 MTV Base, Akon and Gil Green visited Ghana, to embark on aproject to film a music video for Akon – mama Africa and Tic-Tac – Kangaroo ftSamini & D’ Banj produced by Don Jazzy.

Tic-Tac is the 1st Artist in Africa to benefit from the initiative, and also the1st African artist to have MTV “Making of the Video”. The video crew included internal director Gil Green (director of videos for Brandy, Lil’ Jon, Lil Wayne Akon, 50Cent, Busta Rhymes). The video for his single “Kangaroo” was shown worldwide on the MTV Network from March 07 as part of the celebrations for Ghana @ 50.

May 2007 saw Tic Tac become #1 on the MTV BASE chart!! for a consecutive 4weeks. September 2007 saw Tic-Tac again become the first Ghanaian to star at the Big Brother Africa eviction show in South Africa to an audience of over 50million viewers across Africa. He ended 2007 @ #9 on MTV BASE's top world 100songs of the year.

During AFCON 2008 football tournament, Tic-Tac's song and dance Kangaroo wasgiven a boost with the Ghana National Men’s Football team The Black stars,using it as a celebratory dance other teams soon followed, in what became anational and international frenzy. Tic-Tac hosted the Swedish nationaltelevision in Ghana around that same time filming the international documentary“Hip Life Accra” Click and watch: http://youtu.be/irDe0DJ3p6c

Tic-Tac spent most of 2008, touring the US Nigeria, South Africa and UK recording and preparing for his new , He headlined a major Performances at theSound City Music Video Awards alongside Nas, Freshly Ground, D’ Banj and The Mohits crew and Psquare in Nigeria he performed at the Not in Our Life time concert in South Africa in aid of xenophobic attacks.

Introducing 10th Day album in 2009, celebrating ten years of his musical journey and Tic-Tac's sixth album He headlined at the Ghana Music Awards 2010 together with Sway UK and also become the face of melcom. Ghana’s biggest chain distribution store After the explosive hit song “BOSOE” featuring Nigerian Artist key Note.

In 20012 Tic-Tac was presented with an award by the allied health students of the University of Ghana, for the promotion of Ghanaian urban music locally and internationally. He also became the ambassador for the children’s heart foundation a foundation responsible for raising funds for children with heart complications in Ghana.

2013- Tic-Tac elected as the Chairman of the musician union of Ghana MUSIGA and the CEO of Tic-Tac Reserved lounge and night Club and also Alf&Gina pizza restaurant at the Accra international airport kotoka. This investment has shown he’s not just a musician but also a young entrepreneur. Tic-Tac is working on his long awaited7th album titled “GHANA 4 U”. Currently enjoying great reviews and massive airplay both on radio and TV is one of his latest single off the upcoming album titled “PUM PUM” featuring one of Ghana’s biggest rap artist Edem. Click to watch: http://youtu.be/leHSQ781qWE

twitter: @tictacgh

Facebook: tictac gh (fan page) or tictacgh

Like and subscribe to his YouTube channel: officialtictac

Mob: +233 244 372 322.

Email: tnrecordsgh@gmail.com