Abrantie Simms Turns Chance Meeting With Kuvie Into Highlife Project

What began as a chance conversation while waiting for an artist has led Ghanaian producer Abrantie Simms to his debut collaborative project, Finding My Rhythm EP 1, with singer Ess Thee Legend.

Simms revealed on 3Music TV and Pluzz 89.9 FM’s Morning Bite that his journey into music production started in December 2023 when he was managing an artiste known as Mboy.

He had arranged to meet producer Kuvie to connect him with Mboy. When the artiste arrived late, Simms used the waiting time to ask Kuvie if he could teach him how to produce.

That request became the beginning of a mentorship that has now resulted in Simms producing his first major collaborative project.

“I wanted to connect Mboy and Kuvie, and the day that we were supposed to meet, Mboy was super late. While we were talking, waiting for Mboy, I asked Kuvie if he could teach me how to produce, and here we are now,” Simms said during the interview.

Simms, who was born in Italy and currently lives in Ohio in the United States, said his transition from artiste management to production has been a learning process that he has enjoyed.

He said his love for Ghanaian music and Highlife has helped drive the journey, while Kuvie’s mentorship has given him the technical foundation to develop his production skills.

His connection with Ess Thee Legend also grew through Kuvie. Simms first heard the singer on Mpena, a song by $pacely featuring Ess, and was impressed enough to look up her catalogue.

“I went to her IG. I checked out her catalog and I was like, wow, this girl is very talented,” he said.

That relationship eventually developed into a broader creative partnership.

Finding My Rhythm EP 1, released on 3 September 2026, contains four tracks: Adwuma Wura, featuring Ess Thee Legend, Rie Osei and Marince Omario; Kanea, featuring Ess Thee Legend; Way You Move, featuring $pacely and Ess Thee Legend; and Testing Me  by Simms and Ess Thee Legend.

The project is the first instalment in what Simms describes as an ongoing series exploring different aspects of music and life.

For Ess, the collaboration was initially not intended to become a full project. She said she first encountered Simms through Kuvie, who suggested that she contribute to one of his songs.

After completing the song, she became increasingly interested in working with Simms.

She said she did not initially expect to be the focus of the first Finding My Rhythm project, but Simms recognised the number of songs they had created together and suggested they work on the EP.

The songs explore different emotions and experiences. Ess described Kanea as a tribute to people who have supported her through difficult and joyful periods, while Adwuma Wura draws from conversations about the sacrifices parents make to provide for their families.

She said the writing process often begins with her reflecting on her life and what is happening around her.

The singer, whose music has previously included Afro-soul and contemporary Ghanaian influences, has continued to explore Ghanaian sounds.

Music In Africa describes her as a singer-songwriter and occasional rapper, with a catalogue that includes more than 15 released songs.

Simms’ production on Finding My Rhythm is similarly rooted in Highlife while incorporating contemporary influences.

The producer has previously explained that his approach is not to reproduce traditional Highlife exactly but to allow the genre to evolve through new artistes and sounds.

For Simms, the project represents more than the start of his career as a producer.

It is an attempt to establish a creative identity while contributing to a new conversation about the future of Highlife.

Finding my rhythm therefore describes not only the music but also Simms’ own journey from artiste management to production.