“The notion that the distinctive quality of African music lies in its rhythmic structure, and consequently that the terms ‘African music’ and ‘African rhythm’ are often interchangeable, has been so persistently thematized in writings about African music that it has by now assumed the status of a commonplace, a topos. And so it is with … Read more
WE NEED TO CELEBRATE OUR CULTURAL AMBASSADORS AND HEROES OF HIGHLIFE AND PALM-WINE MUSIC Yet, after all is said and done, we cannot but commend President Mahama highly for extending material and financial assistance to veterans of the entertainment industry, men and women who promoted Ghanaian culture across Africa and the rest of the world. … Read more
RELIGION AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, OF THOUGHT Notwithstanding the preceding contentions in Part 3, it bears pointing out lest we overlook it, that, Prophet Daniel Asamoah-Larbi, Akosua Agyapong’s husband’s sanctimonious claim that Dark Suburb are “idol worshippers” and “demonic” and that the band courts evil influences are out of place, a mere talent-killing pontification. After … Read more
Samuel Owusu appeared on the Ghanaian music scene with a string of instant smash hits from “Abusua Kyiri Ka,” “Mempe Me Ho Asem,” “Kokosakyi,” “Asem Beba Dabi,” “Yenka Wo Ntie No” to “Mo Bekae Me.” We may broadly classify the repertoire of his music genre as burgher-highlife. Yet, although the music for his classic songs … Read more
THE EPOCHAL APPEARANCE OF SAMUEL OWUSU ON THE GHANAIAN MUSIC SCENE Samuel Owusu appeared on the Ghanaian music scene with a string of instant smash hits from “Abusua Kyiri Ka,” “Mempe Me Ho Asem,” “Kokosakyi,” “Asem Beba Dabi,” “Yenka Wo Ntie No” to “Mo Bekae Me.” We may broadly classify the repertoire of his music … Read more
“Ghanaian highlife is one of the oldest popular dance-music styles of Africa…” ALEXIS AKWAGYIRAM, BBC “Highlife, a musical genre that originated in Ghana, Sierra Leone and Nigeria, fused African rhythms with western music. “The sound, of which there were a few variations, generally combined multiple guitar rhythms with a brass band backing, as well as … Read more
He was born with the name Kwabena Boa-Amponsem, he was baptized Daniel Amponsah. On stage, he took the name “Koo Nimo”. Koo Nimo has undoubtedly established himself as Ghana’s foremost exponent of acoustic guitar highlife and folklore (palm wine music), with a gamut of more than 100 songs to his credit. He is not only … Read more