By: Seli Baisie
Ghana’s Highlife music icon Gyedu-Blay Ambolley has passionately declared that ‘Highlife’ music is the root of Ghanaian culture.
“Highlife is us. It is our root. Because if we are trying to potray what we have to the world, it is Highlife..”
According to him, Highlife is a genre that reflects the true identity of Ghanaians.
“Every country has its own music. If you go to Senegal, they play Senegalese music. If you go to Congo, they play Congolese music. So, why are we not portraying Highlife to the world, but the younger guys are more dancehall and afrobeats?” the Veteran musician quizzed.
The multi-award winner, Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, during an appearance on GTV’s Breakfast Show, urged young musicians to create music that reflects Ghana’s cultural identity.
The 75-year-old musician emphasized the importance of returning to the roots of Ghanaian music to produce authentic and distinctive songs.
Asked if the Ghanaian music tree is dying, Mr. Ambolley responded by saying, “No, but there is a deviation because the younger ones don’t know the musical aspect of it.
He also advised Ghanaian musicians to sing in the local dialect rather than in other foreign languages.
“Whatever they do, there has to be identification attached to it.”
Mr. Ambolley, touching on our local dialect, said, pidgin is a Ghanaian language that Ghanaians should start singing in pidgin.
“Yes so if you meet a Jamaican singing in patois, they have their own pronunciations and things towards patois because that’s their language. So when we collaborate with them, we can also do that in our pidgin so they can see the difference. But we are rather jumping on the patois so are we copying them or we are the original.”
Who is Gyedu-Blay Ambolley?
Gyedu-Blay Ambolley is a Ghanaian music icon who has been in the music industry for over five decades. Known for his unique style of blending Highlife, Reggae, and Funk music, Ambolley has earned himself the nickname “the Simigwado King.”
Born on the 11th of July, 1947, in Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana, Ambolley’s passion for music began at a young age. He started playing the conga drum and guitar, and by the time he was in his early 20s, he had formed his first band, The Steneboofs.
Ambolley’s big break came in the 1970s when he released his debut album, “Simigwado,” which became an instant hit. The album was a fusion of Highlife and Funk music, and it showcased his unique style, which was unlike anything that had been heard before in Ghana.
Since then, Ambolley has released over 30 albums, including “Ambolley,” “Gyedu-Blay Ambolley and His Creations,” and “Kwaakwaa.” He has collaborated with several renowned musicians, including Fela Kuti, E.T. Mensah, and Hugh Masekela.
Ambolley’s music has not only entertained but also educated people.
His songs touch on social issues such as poverty, corruption, and the importance of education. He has been a strong advocate for the preservation of Ghanaian culture, and he has used his music to promote it.
In recognition of his contribution to the Ghanaian music industry, Ambolley has received numerous awards, including the Kora Award for Lifetime Achievement and the AFRIMA Legendary Award.
He has also been featured in several international music festivals, including the WOMAD Festival in the UK and the African Festival of the Arts in the US.
Below is the full interview;
