Kumerica Turned Criticism Into Cultural Pride in Kumasi

You’ve probably heard the term “Kumerica,” but not everyone knows its origin. Since around 2020, it has grown into a household name.

The word Kumerica has become one of the most talked-about nicknames for Kumasi. It’s more than a social media term.

To many, Kumerica represents a movement rooted in Kumasi’s identity, music, and youth culture.

You’ll see it on t-shirts, in music videos, and used as a nickname for the city of Kumasi.

Before the name gained popularity, some young people in Kumasi had already been ridiculed. People mocked their drill music, their streetwear, and the way they spoke or acted, as if they were trying to bring America into Kumasi.

They were called villagers pretending to be American. Some of the comments came from people in other regions, different ethnic backgrounds, and parts of Kumasi itself.

Many of these youth responded by leaning into the criticism. The term “Kumerica” came out of that moment. It became music, slang, streetwear, and a sense of identity.

A flag was designed. Some neighborhoods were unofficially renamed after American cities.

These names became part of how people expressed the Kumerica identity. Kumerica grew into something people could recognize and relate to.

The Term Came with Mockery

People would say things like, “You think you’re American in Kumasi?” The drill music, street fashion, and slang were laughed at.

Those who connected with the name continued to use it. They created something that stood out.

Definition of Kumerica

Kumerica is a nickname that combines the names of Kumasi and America. It reflects how some people in Kumasi express pride, creativity, and influence through style, music, and language.

The term grew through social media, local slang, and the Asakaa music scene. It became part of how people represented themselves and the city of Kumasi.

Where the Term Came From

The word Kumerica became popular online. It was used in tweets, music videos, and everyday conversations on the street.

It started as teasing, but people made it their own. The meaning grew through use. Artists and creators shaped the word through their work and influence.

The Full List of Renamed Suburbs in Kumasi

As the name Kumerica gained popularity, some people began renaming suburbs in Kumasi after American cities.

These weren’t official changes, but a playful and satirical way of linking Kumasi to America.

The names were often shared as inside jokes across social media, reflecting how young people saw their environment in a new light.

As Braa Benk put it,

“We only give these nicknames to the places it works for.”

His point was that these names weren’t random. They reflected how people related to those neighborhoods, the vibe, the activity, the street life, or just the feeling of being seen and heard in that space.

Here’s the full list in alphabetical order:

• Abrepo = Georgia
• Aboabo = Massachusetts
• Abuakwa = Chicago
• Adum = Manhattan
• Ahodwo = Las Vegas
• Amakom = Nebraska
• Asafo = Kansas
• Asokwa = South Dakota
• AshTown = New Jersey
• Asuoyeboah = Indiana
• Atonsu = Mississippi
• Bantama = Florida
• Breman = Texas
• Buokrom Estate = Brooklyn
• Danyame = Maryland
• Dekyemso = West Virginia
• Kejetia = New York
• Krofrom = Ohio
• Kronum = Oklahoma
• Kwadaso = Bronx
• Manhyia = Washington DC
• Oduom = Alabama
• Oforikrom = Arizona
• Pankrono = Kentucky
• Santase = Louisiana
• Sofoline = Brooklyn
• Suame = Miami
• Tafo = California
• Tanoso = Indianapolis

Nationhood Symbols: Flags and Coat of Arms

The movement also brought in its own visuals. A flag was created and became widely recognized, but while some mentioned a “coat of arms,” no official or consistent version has circulated online.

The Kumerica flag blends Ashanti pride with street culture. Common features include green and black stripes for tradition and land, golden stars for unity and influence, and sometimes a porcupine to honor the Ashanti Kingdom.

These designs showed the seriousness with which people took Kumerica.

It became a shared identity for those who connected with it.

What Kumerica Represents

Kumerica represents confidence, pride, and self-expression. It gave people language, music, and fashion they could shape on their own terms.

For many, it became a way to turn judgment into something they could stand behind.

Music and the Rise of Asakaa

Kumerica helped highlight a new sound in Ghana’s music scene. Asakaa, also known as Ghanaian drill, combines street slang with heavy beats and stories from Kumasi. Connect with the following Kumerica Artists Online

Artists tied to this sound include (Connect with the following Kumerica Artists Online):

• Yaw Tog
• Jay Bahd
• Reggie
• Kwaku DMC
• O’Kenneth

These artists gained attention by telling stories in their own language and voice. The music gave Kumerica a wider audience.

Fashion and Lifestyle

The fashion that came with Kumerica became easy to recognize. You might see:

• Baggy jeans and oversized shirts
• Hoodies and caps with Kumerica printed on them
• Chains, sneakers, and sunglasses

People used clothing to express boldness and pride. The style spread on social media and through music videos.

Slang and Everyday Language

Street slang helped carry the Kumerica identity. Some of the most recognized phrases include:

• Asakaa – Refers to Ghanaian drill music and the culture that surrounds it
• Keshey – A slang word for money, energy, or vibe
• We outside – A bold way of showing up or being fully present
• Sore – Means “wake up” in Twi, popularized by Yaw Tog’s hit track

The slang changes often but remains rooted in everyday speech.

Language Blend

Kumerica slang blends Twi, English, patois, Nigerian street talk, and American rap phrasing.

The mix changes quickly, with many words taking on different meanings depending on who’s speaking and where. It reflects Kumasi’s creativity and global influences.

Mixed Reactions to Kumerica

Not everyone saw Kumerica as something to support. Some felt it copied too much from American culture.

Some felt the movement ignored Ashanti values and traditions. To them, the American references and drill aesthetics didn’t reflect Kumasi’s cultural roots. For some, it was playful. For others, it was unnecessary.

Those who adopted it didn’t seek approval. They created music, fashion, and slang that made sense to them. And they kept going.

Real Challenges Beyond the Movement

Kumerica grew in a context where many young people face challenges.

• Funding Gaps: Many creatives struggle to access steady financial support.
• Limited Platforms: Kumasi has fewer studios, event spaces, and media outlets compared to bigger cities. However, we must acknowledge that platforms like TikTok have helped close the visibility gap. Songs and slang from Kumasi had a far-reaching impact, extending beyond Ghana.
• Public Dismissal: In many cases, youth-led projects only get attention after they go viral.

These are not issues limited to Kumerica. They reflect the reality for many young people across Ghana.

For many artists, Kumerica wasn’t just a style. It was a way to be seen, to survive, and to push back against being overlooked.

What Comes Next

Kumerica is now familiar across Ghana and beyond. The slang, fashion, and music continue to spread. Many people use the name without knowing how it started.

Many now use the word without knowing its roots. Kumerica has become a casual nickname for Kumasi, even for those not directly involved in the movement.

The people behind it are still making music, designing clothes, and shaping street culture. Growth depends on real support.

That includes funding, venues to perform, recording tools, and consistent opportunities to be seen and heard.

“When this Kumerica movement started, I wrote ‘Sore’ to tell those who were asleep to wake up… Everyone thought this movement wouldn’t go far. They are awake now.” – Yaw Tog

Kumerica wasn’t created through a campaign or organized project. It started with mockery, creativity, and confidence.

It gave people something they could shape for themselves. The music, the slang, the streetwear, and the renamed towns all carry that story.

People took what others laughed at and turned it into something they could claim. The name remains, and so does the pride that comes with it.

So when you hear Kumerica… do you smile or get a little annoyed? Does it feel like a true part of Kumasi, or not quite?

Share how you see it and what it means to you. Let’s hear how you connect (or don’t) with it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kumerica

What does Kumerica mean?
Kumerica is a nickname formed by combining the names of Kumasi and America. It represents a cultural movement shaped by Kumasi’s youth, characterized by the use of slang, fashion, and music.

When did Kumerica start?
Kumerica began around 2020. The name gained popularity on social media and quickly became part of everyday language, music videos, and street fashion.

Is Kumerica a real place?
No. Kumerica is not an official place. It’s a nickname for Kumasi used to express identity, pride, and creative culture.

Why do people call Kumasi Kumerica?
Some young people in Kumasi were mocked for dressing, speaking, or acting in ways seen as American. They flipped the insult into a bold identity: Kumerica.

Who are the top Kumerica or Asakaa artists?
Yaw Tog, Jay Bahd, Reggie, Kwaku DMC, and O’Kenneth are among the most recognized artists in the Kumerica and Asakaa drill music scene.