Amanzeba Nat Brew, one of Ghana’s finest highlife artists, shared his music career journey on another impactful episode of the Y Leaderboard Series on YFM. The lyricist, in an interview with Rev. Erskine, rolled out the hustle and tussle in his career, among other things, to inspire the younger generation.
As he grew older, Amandzeba’s passion for music only intensified. He recalled joining several bands during his teenage years, honing his skills as a singer and songwriter. His big break came when he joined the popular band Osibisa in the late 1970s. With Osibisa, he toured the world, performing in front of thousands of fans
After leaving Osibisa, Amandzeba embarked on a solo career that has spanned over three decades. He has released numerous hit songs and collaborated with some of the biggest names in the Ghanaian music industry. His unique blend of highlife, reggae and Afrobeat has earned him a loyal following both in Ghana and abroad.
During an interview on Y107.9FM’s Myd Morning Radio Show, YLeaderboard Series segment, Amandzeba spoke about the challenges he faced in the early days of his career. He talked about the struggle to get airplay for his songs and the financial difficulties that came with being a musician.
He indicated that music in Ghana can bring tremendous development to the country. According to him, music brings people together despite the many differences and preferences of individuals in society. He further noted that the synergy that is created through music is what will birth progress in the nation.
Music in Ghana, he said, has established the followers of many Ghanaian artists, which spans beyond the borders of Ghana. “When you look at these artists in the industry now – Shatta Wale with a huge fanbase, Stonebwoy with a huge fanbase; that is the impact of music. We are not here just to come and dance and sing and then we leave; we are here to make a mark because others have made it.”
When asked about his view on the education system in Ghana, Amanzeba feels Ghanaians have accepted the Western culture and education system, neglecting what makes them true Africans. “We must get educated. We must seek knowledge, but that should not question our indigenous wisdom.”
He cited artificial intelligence as a Western educational tool which poses a major threat to the originality of Ghanaians, gradually concealing the country’s natural strength. “Diversity, the core reason for seeking education, is gradually making us anti-creators of our indigenous and natural ways.
The ‘Wo Gbe Jeke’ hitmaker believes these practices have left Ghana’s heritage in an inverted nature, which makes no room for authenticity or development. “Our country’s arts and culture, which need to be glorified and upheld, are being relegated because of imported education.”
In his submission, he charged Ghanaians to appreciate and look at music from a wider perspective toward national development since “Music drives culture, music drives tourism and must drive everything that we do; music must not be equated to anything”.
The Y Leaderboard Series is a weekly segment on YFM’s ‘Myd Morning’ radio show, hosted by the influential Rev. Erskine. Each week, established individuals share their life stories, journeys to success and invaluable lessons for personal and national growth. The series offers young people an up-close experience with prominent individuals through interviews, social media engagements and call-ins, fostering an environment of learning and growth.
Programmes Manager for YFM, Eddy Blay, expressed after the interview that the time spent with Amanzeba has been one of the motivating sessions which will go a long way to change people’s mindset about the Ghanaian music industry. “Every individual who listened to him today will be inspired about something.”
