Ghanaian dancehall artiste Kaakie, born Grace Kaki Awo Ocansey, has earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) qualification and launched a mental health practice in the United States.
She is now professionally known as Dr Grace Aidoo, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC and is the founder of Kaylora Holistic Wellness & Recovery, which provides psychiatric and therapeutic services.
The practice offers services including psychiatric evaluations, medication management, ADHD care, treatment for anxiety and depression, bipolar disorder and trauma support, psychotherapy, couples’ therapy, and child and adolescent mental health care. Telehealth services are also available.
From dancehall to mental health
Kaakie studied nursing and midwifery at the University of Ghana before rising to fame through the television music competition Stars of the Future.
She later joined Xtra Large Music and became one of Ghana’s leading female dancehall artistes, releasing songs including “Ewoo,” “Too Much,” “Toffee Pon Tongue” and “Zuuchia.”
She won Best New Artiste of the Year and Reggae/Dancehall Song of the Year at the 2013 Ghana Music Awards.
Despite her music success, Kaakie maintained her connection to healthcare. She eventually left music to pursue further education and a career in nursing.
She earned a master’s degree from Anglia Ruskin University in 2019 and later obtained a Master of Science in Nursing with a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specialisation from Walden University in 2025.
Her latest achievement marks another major milestone in her transition from music to mental health care and professional nursing.
