Teflon Flexx,

Teflon Flexx, born Akaateba Christopher Akanvarichaab on 18 July 1995, is a Ghanaian hip-hop and Afropop artist from Wiaga, a small town in Ghana’s Upper East Region. Raised and educated in the north, his journey reflects both the challenges and resilience of artists emerging from regions often overlooked by the mainstream music industry.

Teflon’s passion for music began in childhood and took shape more formally after high school, when he formed a group called East Music, followed later by The Invaders — a collective that brought him early recognition during his university years. He attended St. Charles Minor Seminary Senior High School in Tamale and later studied B.Ed Social Science at the University for Development Studies, balancing academics with a growing musical ambition.

His professional career officially began in 2018 with the release of his debut single “Murder,” followed by his 8-track EP Village Boy In Suit in early 2019. The project showcased his versatility and included the single “No Foreplay,” which earned him a nomination at the Northern Music Video Awards. Notably, Teflon Flexx is recognised as the first artist to commercially rap in Buli, his native language — a cultural milestone for the Upper East Region.

In 2020, his career reached a historic peak when he won the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) Unsung Artiste of the Year, becoming the first musician from the Upper East Region to take the title. The win secured him a VGMA performance slot and positioned him as a symbol of possibility for underground artists across northern Ghana. For many, his victory represented regional visibility long overdue.

However, the post-award period brought unexpected challenges. In later interviews, Teflon openly shared that he went broke shortly after winning, citing overspending on music, poor event decisions, and limited understanding of the business side of the industry. Rather than hiding this phase, he used it as a teaching moment — emphasising the importance of financial literacy, fan-base building, and long-term strategy for emerging artists.

In recent years, Teflon Flexx has focused on rebuilding and restructuring his career. His music has evolved from street and hustle narratives toward themes of love, intimacy, and emotional honesty, a shift amplified through his viral online chemistry with TikToker Sweet Apple. What began as playful social media content became an extension of his artistry — “receipts,” as he describes them — grounding his lyrics in lived experience.

His 2024 single “Oreo,” inspired by a personal encounter during his travels across Ghana, reflects this matured sound and storytelling approach. Today, Teflon Flexx stands as both a cautionary and inspiring figure — an artist shaped by success, struggle, and self-reflection, determined to reclaim his space with clarity, authenticity, and hard-earned wisdom.

⸻

Sources:

• MyJoyOnline.com

• Music In Africa (Gabriel Myers Hansen)

• Pulse Ghana / Pluzz FM interviews