Denning Edem Hotor

 Denning Edem Hotor is a Ghanaian recording artist and entertainer who performs under the name Edem. In 2015, he was awarded Best International Act-Africa at the Black Canadian Awards in Canada.

Early life Edem hails from Dzogadze, a small town in Abor, in the Volta Region of Ghana. Of two kids, Edem is the only son and Wendy Sefakor Agbeviadey. The young Edem spent most of his youth in Accra and Aflao. He completed his primary and Junior High education at the Amazing Love International Schools. As a product of the secondary school system in Ghana, he enrolled in Bishop Herman College for his senior high school education. He lost his mother at age 13. He was left with his dad, a lawyer, and his sister. He lost his dad at age 16. His only immediate family at the moment is his sister. He grew up surrounded by music, ranging from hip-hop to dancehall, reggae and highlife. By age nine, Edem was usually caught pounding on tables, empty tins and any item that could produce good rhythm. He joined his first music group in junior high. In senior high, he formed a 6-member group called the Ringmasters. They performed at the school as well as at funfairs elsewhere. They usually sang, rapped and danced. After senior high school, he proceeded with his quest to build a commercial career in music. He recorded in the underground with artists including Kokromoti, Nival, Trigmatic, Vyroz, M.O.B and Osibo. 

Music Edem appeared on Voice of America where he talked about his “Nyedzilo” video, which features Mavin Records’ Reekado Banks, and his videos such as “The One”, featuring Sway that talks about Africa’s liberation and his award-winning song Koene previously featured on Music Time Africa by Heather Maxwell and Vincent Makori. In 2006, he released his first radio hit single “Witine Woshi”, which translates as “we came and they ran”. It gained much popularity in his region and added to his underground reputation. That year, he got together officially with The Last Two Entertainment Group, headed by the hitmaker Hammer of The Last Two. This label is responsible for artists including Obrafour in 1999, Tinny, and Kwaw Kesse in 2005. Edem appeared at live shows such as the opening act for the John Legend concert at the International Conference Center in Accra in 2007. Before his debut album, he collaborated with other acts such as Obrafour. After two years in the studio (2006 December to 2008 December), he came up with his first single “Bougez”. It received airplay across the country. His first album featured new as well as established acts such as Tinny, Kwaw Kese, Sarkodie, Obour, Asem, K. K. Fosu, Tuba, Samini, Jayso, Trigmatic, El and Gemini. Edem appeared on shows such as Stars of the Future Season 3 Finales, Ghana Music Awards (2009) and all major university concerts. He has been a part of the University of Ghana’s Commonwealth Hall Week, Akuafo Hall Week, Evandy Hostel(Legon) Week celebration, Pentagon Hostel Week celebration, Miss WA Poly, Miss Ho Poly, KNUST’s Unity Hall Week celebration and University Of Cape Coast’s Kwame Nkrumah Hall Week 2013.