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 International R&B Artist
American audiences will soon learn what fans from the Ivory Coast West Africa discovered some time ago, that Karen Folly-Kossi professionally known as Renkah (a loose anagram of her name Karen) is well on her way to becoming an international star. Confident, yet humble, this diva in the making has carried a strong interest in music-entertainment since childhood, where she brightened many Sunday church services as the lead vocalist of the "Little Heart of Angel" choir.
She is influenced by the likes of Whitney, Mariah, Sade, and mother Africa songstress Miriam Makeba.
Renkah is working diligently to provide new and established fans with a debut album, titled “The Meaning of Me,” that is uniquely personal and commercially accessible—collaborating with a team of producers who will assist in elevating her creative vision.
Renkah enlisted a number of writing partners like David Archer, Marvin Davis, Harold Whaley (who also was a vocal producer) and her brother Jerry Folly Kossi to round out the album. She has partnered with music industry veterans Ernie Singleton, one time President of Urban Music for MCA Records and Warner Bros. Records; vocal coach and vocal producer Willie Norwood (Brandy and Ray J’s father); and the aforementioned artist consultant Harold Whaley, to assist her in the launching of the project.
She was born in Caen Calvados, France, yet grew up in the Ivory Coast West Africa. While releasing music such as the online single “Forgive Me” back home in 2007, Renkah managed to earn bachelor degrees in Communications/Media Studies and International Politics from San Diego State University in the U.S.
Renkah featured on the song, "Ecoute Cette Zic," a collaboration with the French rap group, EXTAZE, topped the charts in the Ivory Coast. Similarly her work with "Ménage a Trois" was a success in France and exposed her to a wider audience. Renkah made her first solo appearance as a dancer and singer at the African Music Awards—singing the Whitney Houston classic, “I Will Always Love You.”
Her philanthropic spirit was displayed early in her career, as she was instrumental in raising nearly $250,000.00 worth of medicine supplies for kids affected by AIDS and cancer. Renkah says, “I love that I’ve been given the opportunity to influence people, change lives and make others feel good through my music, and through my work.”
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