Ghanaian musician and social commentator Wanlov the Kubolor has opened up about the minimalist philosophy that led him to abandon footwear in 2007, revealing that a collection of over 100 pairs of shoes in the United States gave way to a lifestyle of radical simplicity after a shift in thinking inspired by books on Africa and minimalism.
Speaking on Asempa FM, Wanlov explained that before returning to Ghana in 2007, he dedicated an entire extra room in his American apartment solely to store his shoe collection. Reading widely about minimalism changed his relationship with material possessions entirely, and he gave everything away, keeping only a pair of traditional Ghanaian Ahenema slippers.
The transition to going fully barefoot was gradual. After relocating to Ghana, prolonged walking in his slippers caused leg discomfort, so he began carrying them in his backpack and wearing them only when entering restricted spaces. Over time, venue security personnel recognised him and waved him through without them.
“When I started music, the bouncers got to know me and allowed me into venues without my slippers,” Wanlov said, adding that the habit simply stayed with him from there.
He acknowledged that extreme heat can still test his tolerance but said nearly two decades of barefoot living has conditioned his body to manage it. He will mark 20 years of the lifestyle in 2027.
The musician also addressed his habit of going shirtless, explaining it is a practical response to uneven sun exposure given his complexion, rather than a deliberate statement.
In the same interview, Wanlov turned attention to future brand partnerships, expressing openness to representing medical marijuana, though he ruled out condom branding over concerns about plastic pollution. More unexpectedly, he said he would consider becoming a brand ambassador for the church of controversial evangelist Mama Pat, widely known as Agradaa, citing her intelligence and open-mindedness as qualities he respects.
