Ghanaian musician and social commentator Wanlov the Kubolor has opened up about the personal philosophy behind his decision to walk barefoot for nearly two decades, revealing that the lifestyle choice was inspired by minimalism and comfort.
Speaking on Asempa FM, Wanlov explained that his unconventional appearance is rooted in his desire for freedom and simplicity.
“When I was coming for the interview from Teshie, I was not even wearing a shirt. It was when I got to the studio that I put on a shirt,” he disclosed.
According to him, he prefers dressing casually, especially during weekends.
“On weekends, I like to dress freely a little,” he added.
Wanlov revealed that before returning to Ghana in 2007, he owned a large collection of footwear while living in the United States.
“When I was in America before returning to Ghana in 2007, I had over 100 pairs of footwear. Even when I rented a place, I rented an extra room just for my shoes,” he recounted.
He said his perspective changed after reading books about Africa and minimalism, which made him rethink material possessions.
“At a point, I realised I did not need all those things, so I gave them all away and was left with only my ‘Ahenema’ slippers,” he explained.
According to Wanlov, he even wore the locally made Ghanaian slippers while living in New York City.
However, after relocating to Ghana, he began experiencing discomfort whenever he wore footwear for long periods.
“When I came to Ghana, I realised I felt pain in my legs whenever I walked in the slippers for too long, so I started keeping them in my backpack and only wearing them when entering certain places,” he said.
He noted that over time, security personnel at entertainment venues became familiar with him and allowed him entry even without footwear.
“When I started music, the bouncers got to know me and allowed me into venues without my slippers. That was how it started, and it has stayed with me since then,” he stated.
Wanlov admitted that walking barefoot during extremely hot weather can sometimes be uncomfortable, but he says his body has adapted over the years.
“During very hot weather, I feel the heat, but because I have done this for a long time, my tolerance level is high,” he explained.
He disclosed that he officially began the lifestyle in 2007 and will soon mark two decades of walking barefoot.
“I started in 2007, so next year will make it 20 years of me walking without footwear,” he revealed.
The musician also explained why he is frequently seen without a shirt, attributing it to concerns about maintaining an even skin tone.
“Because of my complexion, when the sun is hot and I wear a T-shirt, the parts not covered become darker. That is why I sometimes avoid wearing shirts because I want my complexion to remain uniform,” he added.
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