Legendary music producer Fred Kyei Mensah, alias Fredyma, has revealed how Highlife icon Daddy Lumba, born Charles Kojo Fosu, got his moniker.

He told graphic.com.gh the revolutionary leader and first Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Patrice Lumumba inspired the name Lumba. 

"Daddy Lumba was a member of a school choir that sang a song about Patrice Lumumba, and it made a great impression on him. The song resonated with him. It symbolised strength, leadership and purpose – qualities that mirrored his own journey," Fredyma explained.

Fred and Charles knew each other and worked together. In fact, Highlife superstar Ofori Amponsah, was introduced by Fred to Charles, who mentored him and released music with him. Star record producer Appietus, trained by Fredyma, was responsible for a sizable number of Lumba's hits, too.

Highlife legend Nana Acheampong and Daddy Lumba came onto the Highlife scene in the 80s as the Lumba Brothers, Yereye Aka Akwantuo Mu (1986) being their first album.

When the duo disbanded, Charles Kojo Fosu rebranded as Daddy Lumba, releasing his first solo album in 1990, Obi Ate Meso Buo.

Initially, a Gospel musician, DL, performing at the Grand Arena, Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) in 2023, disclosed that "the one who introduced me into the Highlife music tradition is the one standing by me right here, Nana Acheampong".  

According to an interview Nana Acheampong granted on Kumasi-based Pure FM, 2019, their parting, ocassioned by the constraints of Daddy Lumba's relocation to a different German city, was initially planned to be temporary to allow for individual projects but became permanent.  

Daddy Lumba enchanted generations in Ghana and in the diaspora. He passed away on Saturday, July 26, 2025, after a short illness, per the official statement from his family. Tributes which followed his passing indicated dead or alive, the Ashanti man will be ever present in the lives of many people through his more than 200 songs from 33 albums.