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Kofi Okyere Darko, often known as KOD, is upset about remarks made by Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, a leading figure in Ghanaian music, about happenings in the high-life genre.
When discussing the severe collapse of high-life music in Ghana with Graphic Showbiz, the veteran musician and pioneer of rap music in Ghana pointed the finger at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMAs).
According to Ambolley, 76, awarding all the prestigious awards to artistes who dabbled in different genres had sidelined high-life and questioned the criteria for selecting High-Life nominees.
“It is unfortunate that people think when you sing in Twi or Fante over a Dancehall or Reggae beats it automatically makes it High-life music. That is not true but it has become the norm over the years because these are the kinds of music VGMA rewards,” he pointed out
“Today, if anyone wants to have an idea of what Ghana represents in terms of music, I bet the person will not count any High-life artiste since all the perceived big acts currently are not doing High-life.”
“We have buried our own and pursuing Dancehall music and the likes and interestingly, the VGMA has been promoting the agenda by rewarding such artistes with the topmost prizes,” he told Graphic Showbiz
But in a sharp rebuttal on Facebook, On-Air-Personality, KOD has taken Ambulley to the cleaners describing his statements as “nonsense”.
KOD who has hosted the VGMAs on multiple occasions said he disagreed with Ambulley’s assertion and rather applauded the scheme for projecting Ghana consistently.
“Which awards scheme has projected our music industry like VGMA since independence?” KOD quizzed in his epistle “How many have projected our musicians beyond GH. How many have consistently done more than 10 years?”
KOD said the issue was rather the fault of radio stations who had refused to play hi-life music and admonished Ambolley to rather blame them.
“When was the last time he released an album? He should be blaming some of the radio stations who don’t even play our music.
When was the last time or how often do you hear highlife on radio? VGMA cause am?” he pointed out.
Read KOD’s full post below:
Such nonsense!
Which awards scheme has projected our music industry like VGMA since independence? How many have projected our musicians beyond GH. How many have consistently done more than 10 years?
Some of our musicians have failed to evolve and quick to blame others for their personal mishaps. When was the last time he released an album? He should be blaming some of the radio stations who don’t even play our music.
When was the last time or how often do you hear highlife on radio? VGMA cause am?
People should look at evolving and projecting themselves instead of pointing accusing fingers.
Ambulley should be bigger than this petty comment and should check how he discredits his fellow industry colleagues too. You’re a true celebrity. Don’t go this path Sir.
As one of our last of our greats left, this is below him.
