Kwasi Osei Bonsu born Kwasi Osei Bonsu Clarke attended Howard University (1996-2000) where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2000. He then graduated from Howard University School of law in 2003. His course concentration was international law and intellectual property. It was in law school that he first learned about music publishing and the importance of copyright.
While at law school, he also served as a teaching assistant and was able to conduct some study on the use of confidentiality in mediation within the Privy Council system at the Norman Manly Law School on UWI campus in Kingston, Jamaica.
Upon graduation from law school, Kwasi worked at Rose Law Firm LLC, a Ras Tafari inspired law firm in Baltimore, focusing on employment discrimination. In late 2004, Dejazmatch Kwasi took some time to expand his practice areas by working with Gabriel J. Christian & Associates LLC, one of the most successful African American owned law firms in the State of Maryland. Kwasi focused on civil litigation and helped to retain and settle one of the largest cases in the firm’s history. He has remained of council for the firm for their entertainment law matters.
During this period, Kwasi continued to work with George Rose, Esq., the principal attorney of Rose Law Firm LLC and the Ras Tafari elders in the Washington DC and Baltimore area and was instrumental in the establishment of the 501 (c) 3 organization known as IDOR. Since its establishment, Kwasi has served in various capacities, including Vice President, Board Chair and as a member of IDOR’s legal committee.
In 2004, Kwasi started working with the National Bar Association (NBA) Crump Law Camp, providing instruction in mock trial to young aspiring lawyers from high school all over the U.S. In 2011, Kwasi received an award from the NBA for his service to the camp. He continues to work with the camp up to the present time.
Throughout his practice, Kwasi Bonsu has continued to pursue his interest in intellectual property and is now founder and CEO of the Jamaica Music Conference, an annual music industry conference in Kingston, Jamaica that seeks to provide a platform for independent music professionals to network, learn best practices and create opportunities for the music stars of tomorrow. The conference brings together entertainment lawyers, managers, artists, promoters, publicists and various other professionals from the music industry for four days of panels, showcases, breakout sessions and service activities. The conference has greatly expanded Kwasi’s music-industry network and knowledge pool and has made him an invaluable asset for artists seeking success within the field of music.
Kwasi currently represents and provides consultations for several entertainment clients in the DMV, including filmmakers, recording artists, producers and record labels. He embraces the aims and objectives of the Reggae One Love Movement and is honored to serve as the Organization’s founding director at large.