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06.09.2009 Music

Why is Ghanaian music failing to reach international status as opposed to its Nigerian counterpart?

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Why is Ghanaian music failing to reach international status as opposed to its Nigerian counterpart?
06.09.2009 LISTEN

I have lost count of the numerous occasions where I have been disappointed by the lack of Ghanaian songs played in the clubs during nights out with my friends. I don't go out expecting to hear hip-life or highlife all night, but I do expect to hear some Ghanaian songs amongst the collection of afro-beats. It seems that Nigerian songs have no problem finding themselves on the DJ's list. So why is this not the same for Ghanaian songs??

The Ghana music industry today boasts some excellent hip-life and highlife acts such as Batman Samini, Ofori Amponsah, Daddy Lumba, Kofi B, Praye, Sarkodie, Kwabena Kwabena, Okyeame, Tinny, Obour and KK Fosu, to name a few. And there is no doubt that some of these artists have, and are still making some superb music for us to listen to. Though songs such as 'Angelina' by Praye and 'Tokrom' by Daddy Lumba have proved to be popular hits in Ghana, they have not gain that same degree of popularity here in the UK, and one only hear such songs at Ghanaian events and functions. Ghanaian artists are only known by Ghanaians. However it seems that music-wise, Nigerian artists are faring much better than their Ghanaian counterparts. Artists like Dbanj, P-Sqaure, 9ice and 2Face Idibia have substantial amount of recognition here in the UK. Hits such as 'No One Like', 'Gongo Aso', 'Suddenly', 'Yahooze', 'Ifunaya', 'Why Me' and 'Kini Big Deal' are constantly played in clubs, whereas one would be lucky to hear '16 Years' by Mzbel or 'Kiss the Bride' by Bollie. So why are Naija artists getting more recognition than Ghanaians ones? Is it simply because they make better music or it more than that?

I've come to realise that Ghanaian hits such as 'Heavy', 'Odo Nnwom', 'Anadwo Ye De', and 'Angelina' are all in Twi. Well of course they are. Afterall they are Ghanaian songs. But would it hurt to diversify a little bit? The music industry is constantly changing, and in order to survive artists have to adapt to these changed. English is a universal language, and I believe that Ghana musicians should try to write more of their songs in English in order to appeal to a much wider audience. However, at the moment, only a few of them are doing that. A lot of Naija songs played in the clubs these days are mostly in English. Perhaps Ghanaian musicians should look to what their Naija counterparts are doing and take a leaf out their book. Nowadays, it seems like Africans copy everything that is American, including their music. I've heard some people slate some Ghanaian artists for doing so. But is that really so bad? I think artists such as Richie and KK Fosu, whose songs have an RnB feel to them, are doing great jobs. With the right promotion and advertising, Ghanaian artists can begin to taste international success.

I believe that Ghanaian musicians can take these on board and still produce the hip-life and highlife songs that we know and love. One can diversify without losing sight of who they are and where they're from. Ghanaian artists make their songs specifically for their fellow countrymen and women. However, by directing their music not just to Ghanaians, but to outside audiences as well, they can perhaps gain much wider commercial success. Changes can be for better, and if Ghanaian musicians are willing to learn and try something new, then I truly believe that they can gain a lot of audiences worldwide, not just from their fellow Ghanaians.

Originating at www.ghanacelebrities.com

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