Inspired by his late grandfather, Pure Akan’s 2017 album Onipa Akoma fuses indigenous rhythms with modern raps and a hiplife mood, reflecting the journey of a young man conflicted with battling the pressures of society against his own reality. It was also an opportunity for the artist to hone in on the kind of legacy he wanted to create. “After my grandfather’s death, the story was about how he moved to the city to build a house that sheltered his family,” Pure Akan (previously known as Akan) tells Apple Music. “I asked myself what the story would be when I am no more. I want to be know for inspiring the world and not just an artist. I wanted to discuss topics that reflected my environment and could stand the test of time.” Over 15 tracks, Onipa Akoma—Twi for “A Human’s Heart”—explores the tug of war between the heart and the mind’s desires, while also standing as celebration of Ghanaian heritage. "For me, Onipa Akoma was the step that opened everything for me,” Pure Akan explains. “After years, it is still playing a big role in my life. If there is one thing that excites me most, I would say [it’s] when someone [tells] me that it changed their life.”