ENTER Gotaflika [goat-uh-flick-uh]

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A woman in Ghana, Africa gave birth to her seventh child and made the hardest choice she was ever faced with. She decided to leave her children and all of her family to pursue education and a career path that would be for the betterment of her family in the United States. She had to make an incredible journey that took an immense amount faith and courage. This hope had to have been something so real that it would cause her to leave everything she knew behind.

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A young African boy was shaped by his mother's determined journey even as he was sent to live in the village with his grandparents to help tend to his brothers and sisters.

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Even though I missed my mother so badly, every morning I found myself waking up singing the songs the women in the village sang the night before. Music had become my savior and I knew then, as I know now, I would always dedicate my life to it.

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This young boy began a journey that was as organic as it could be. The music in his heart pounding against his chest undoubtedly caused him to sing out and invite others to enjoy his love for music with him. As he sang, others noticed his talent and word began to spread. Gotaflika, which literally means 'Go-To-Africa', received invitations to perform. The performances started with just a handful of people that grew into large crowds and eventually entire villages. A large African following had been created seemingly out of nowhere. But he knew. He knew this dream had been alive within for a long time.

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I loved bringing all that happiness to everyone I touch with music.

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Gotaflika chose his stage name because it represents a migrant African. Gotaflika himself represents thousands upon thousands of stories of hardship and the journey for something more. Gotaflika is a symbol of hope.

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Every time I say (Gotaflika) or hear it, it reminds me that no matter how well-known I become, it is my responsibility to help my people by painting an image of hope for Africa on every stage I set foot on, in the words of every song I write, and in the hearts of everyone I meet.

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HOPE MOVES FORWARD

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Gotaflika is a long way from Africa. He was blessed with an opportunity to go to the United States (where he now lives) to finish high school. Upon completing high school, Gotaflika joined the U.S. Navy to serve a country he felt indebted to for the opportunity--and has now retired from active duty to focus on his music career.

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Culture shock was Gotaflika's welcoming gift to America. For one who grew up without electricity and running water until he was ten years old, it definitely took effort to adjust. He keeps one eye on his proverbial rear-view mirror to abstain from forgetting where he came from and to keep from forgetting his people.

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As I continue my journey, it brings me immense pride and honor to know I have the support of my people.

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Gotaflika is actively in the grind. His head is up and his heart is full. He can be found performing throughout the Greater Los Angeles area (pre-coronavirus) and is open to book elsewhere (post-quarantine). His first full-length album 'Go Up' gained some serious buzz on social media and picked up an Independent Music Award (IMA) for Best Album in March 2020. Hype of Gotaflika's 'Go Up' album was featured in more than 70 publications nationwide. Touring is up ahead in 2020 and Gotaflika's next full-length album is projected to be released in the fall.

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The music video for the track 'African Child' (from the album 'Go Up') was filmed in Africa and Los Angeles. The video entails his story of not only coming to the United States but also the rising up over the naysayers. It brought Gotaflika a lot of pride to be able to include people from his homeland in the video (behind-the-scenes video interview below).

 

Along his journey, he's had the great pleasure to perform with DEV (famous for 'Like a G6' and 'Bass Down Low') at the Rose in Pasadena, CA.  Gotaflika has also been invited for interviews on radio stations such as iHeart Radio and LA Talk Radio. The amount of growth and buzz around this special artist has been astounding. In addition to the growth and trajectory of Gotaflika's popularity, he has also climbed the charts to #1 for Reggae artists in the music mecca of Los Angeles and #18 in the World. Also, Gotaflika recently made the Top 40 list for all genres of Los Angeles.**

 

Gotaflika is melting the genres of pop, reggae, afrobeat, and more in ways that perfectly compliments today's listeners. 

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Another milestone was completed when Gotaflika's music video for the single from his E.P.  'From Africa to LA' was also featured on VH1 in 2019.  The hit single that is titled 'Another Day, Another Dollar' is emblematic of his journey and the  journey that so many of us can identify with. The videos featuring Gotaflika's music have gained millions of views throughout online platforms.**

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Gotaflika's influences include Sean Paul, Lucky Dube, Alpha Blonde, Shaggy, and Enigma. 

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A partnership has been established with water.org to make a difference with his music for people that do not have access to clean and safe water in the world. Gotaflika has not forgotten where he has come from and actively gives a portion of all music proceeds to help people around the world obtain clean and safe water. Interviews about what it was like to grow up in Africa with music dreams can be found here.

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Gotaflika is looking forward to collaborations, exclusive performances, touring, and releasing his sophomore full-length album in 2020. His  music is available for streaming, downloading, and purchasing everywhere.

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*Charts by Reverbnation

**Stats of Spotify, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook combined.

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© Final Touch Media