AKRON, Ohio — They're calling him, "The other kid from Akron," and at just 22 years old, pianist Kofi Boakye is already poised for national success - currently competing on the famed Apollo Theater's "Amateur Night at the Apollo."
His talent evident from a young age, the Akron native has overcome plenty on the way to making his musical dreams come true.
"In my course of doing what I am doing, I have been told multiple times from different people that music wasn't a thing," Boakye said. "And now that's the thing that's getting me wins at the Apollo."
Now, Boakye is on an incredible journey. One that spans music, education, and potential future stardom. It's a road that he hopes will take him far, but the journey started right here in Akron.
"Music entered my life in the means of a survival mechanism," Boakye said. "When I was introduced to it, I had a choice of either doing music or being in a gang. My mom said, okay, we gotta get you outta here."
Boakye is a graduate of Miller South School for the Visual & Performing Arts and the age of 15, Kofi was accepted into the University of Akron School of Music’s Jazz Program, making him the youngest African-American pianist to ever be accepted into a collegiate-level jazz program at the University. As a high school senior, he was also accepted to his dream program at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston.
"The problem was I also had that sudden realization that, I couldn't really go because I didn't have the money," he said. "I had to make a choice. You know, either I continue to raise money and try to go there, or I look elsewhere - and I like that first option."
So Kofi sought support - partnering with Pritt Entertainment Group to create an Emmy nominated documentary called "Kofi: Made In Akron” about his journey in music and education.
We raised $50,000 over the course of a six month span through that documentary. From there, came another incredible platform - the iconic music variety competition "Amateur Night at the Apollo."
"The first Apollo experience came about by me randomly submitting things online. One day I had actually made piano covers during the summertime because I was trying to go to Berklee...ironically, the producers saw the video...and I made it all the way to the final round that year in November for the chance to win $20,000."
Kofi didn't win the $20,000. But this year, he says he's hoping to change that narrative. He's competing at the Apollo once again this year, and has already made it through the first round of competition.
And as Kofi prepares for the following rounds in the coming weeks, the prize money would help him restart his Berklee dream.
"Now I'm in a position now where I'm trying to re-fundraise. Because the pandemic did hit and it hit like a rock," he said. "I was having to switch the focus from schooling to surviving."
And his ultimate goal remains true.
"My goal is to get my degree at the end of the day, Berklee's my dream school. And, um, I know it takes a village and it could take 20,000 villages, you know, I need it. So, um, we're gonna make it happen."
"Amateur Night at the Apollo" is livestreamed on the Apollo Theater's Facebook and YouTube pages. You can learn more about Kofi and his journey here.
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