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The musicians of today don’t make meaningful, resonating music – Ambolley

By Lois Dogbe
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2 min read
The musicians of today don’t make meaningful, resonating music – Ambolley

Renowned Ghanaian Highlife musician, Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, has expressed his disappointment in the current generation of musicians, accusing them of diluting the essence of Highlife music.

Speaking on the GhHighlifeShow with Ohemaa Acheampomaa, the veteran artist lamented that today’s artists have abandoned the traditional Highlife elements that made Ghanaian music rich and diverse.

Instead, he believes they have adopted Western influences, stripping the genre of its authenticity.

“If you listen to the songs of Shatta Wale, Black Sherif, and others, their beats are all Western beats. There is no Highlife in there,” he stated.

According to Ambolley, Highlife music in his era was deeply rooted in experience and storytelling, often incorporating a blend of bass guitar, and trumpet to create a unique and timeless sound.

He claims that younger musicians lack the depth to produce meaningful, resonant music.

“The musicians of today just make music about their girlfriends because they haven’t grown. They haven’t faced life in a deep way to be motivated to make meaningful, resonating music,” he argued.

Ambolley believes that this shift has “ruined Highlife” as the genre now struggles to maintain its original identity amid modern trends.

His comments come at a time when there is ongoing discussions about whether Ghanaian artists are doing enough to preserve Highlife, which has historically been the country’s signature music genre as we celebrate Ghana month.

While his remarks may stir controversy, they also raise critical questions about the evolution of Ghanaian music and whether today’s artists should do more to honor and maintain the Highlife legacy.

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Lois Dogbe is a writer with 3news.com. Follow him on X, @ldogbe and LinkedIn: Lois Dogbe

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