Somewhere just outside the vibrant buzz of Accra, in a quiet town called Nsawam, lives a man who’s quietly crafting dance floor magic. Meet Stephen Ofoe Nelson, known in the music world simply as Ofoe Nelson—a producer, creative soul, and a walking embodiment of the phrase “less is more.”
He may not have played a live DJ set yet (he’s working on that), but his music already speaks volumes. Originally producing under two names—Ofoe Nelson for organic, textured sounds and Cosplay for vocal-led deep house and techno—he's recently merged all aliases into one artistic identity: Ofoe Nelson, because why split your soul when it can speak through a single voice?
Born under the sign of Libra in 1985, Ofoe has been connected to music since he was six years old, playing looped chords on a piano in his late father’s church in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. "It was just me on three chords, but the joy on people’s faces—it stuck with me," he recalls. That joy would later evolve into a career shift that took him from corporate life and video editing to full-time music production in 2015. "If my life was a poker game, you'd say I went all in."
What does he sound like? Imagine bass-heavy, melancholic house music that doesn’t just make you move—it makes you feel. Whether it’s Afrohouse, melodic house, or deep techno, if it doesn’t tug on his own heartstrings, it doesn’t make the cut. “The melodies have to move me. If they don’t, I move on.”.
Ofoe’s studio hours are vampire-style: he’s most alive when the world sleeps. Working till 3 or 4 AM is standard. "Production is my life right now," he admits. “Everything else is secondary.” Except maybe yam fufu and chicken light soup—that’s sacred.
His influences read like a music nerd’s dream playlist: Deadmau5, Massive Attack, Tricky, Nina Kraviz, Black Coffee, and Zero7, just to name a few. With that kind of range, it’s no surprise he once overloaded his tracks with ideas. But after a few years (and a few headaches), he mastered the elegant power of simplicity. "Letting the music breathe is what makes it hit."
After a decade honing his craft, 2025 is shaping up to be a breakout year. His latest track “Sexyy Time” drops May 12th on Beatport and hits all streaming platforms from May 26th via Progressive Vibes Music—his very first official label release. “It feels like I’m just getting started,” he says, smiling..
Outside the studio, Ofoe trades forex and commodities—not a millionaire yet, he jokes—but his real currency is emotion, layered rhythm, and sonic exploration. Despite being 10 years into the game, he’s still finding his place in an industry where being "different" can be both a gift and a curse. "Breaking in is tough when your sound doesn’t neatly fit in a box. But originality is what keeps music alive."
As for Ghana’s music scene? He’s optimistic. Artists like Amaarae, Black Sherif, and Gyakie are pushing boundaries and repping hard internationally. But Ofoe’s wish? For house and techno to thrive in Ghana. “We love to dance. It’s only right we dance to everything.”
And when he finally hits the decks live, you won’t find him wasted behind the booth. “Drink after work—but don’t get drunk while working. It sounds boring, but it saves your set, your rep, and your bag.”
Three words to describe Ofoe Nelson? Soulful. Patient. Stubborn. And maybe a fourth—ready.
Shameless Plug:
“Sexyy Time” – the sensual, groove-laced banger by Ofoe Nelson – drops May 12 on Beatport and hits all platforms on May 26.
Follow him for updates, upcoming releases, and (soon!) live DJ sets you won’t want to miss.