Highlife Must Remain Ghana’s Master Music Brand – Akablay

Veteran Ghanaian guitarist and music producer Akablay has urged young musicians to embrace and promote highlife music rather than distancing themselves from the genre, describing it as Ghana’s musical identity.

Speaking in an interview with Kafui Dey, Akablay expressed concern that many young artistes are moving away from highlife despite its deep cultural significance.

“It’s unfortunate. They are running away from their own shadows,” he said.

According to him, musicians can experiment with different sounds and styles, but should still identify their music under the broader highlife umbrella to help preserve and promote the genre globally.

“Even if you play reggae, put highlife in it. No, just call it highlife. That’s all,” he stated.

Akablay argued that highlife is flexible enough to accommodate various sub-genres and influences while maintaining its Ghanaian roots. He cited different styles of highlife performed by legendary musicians over the years as evidence that the genre has continually evolved.

“I don’t play highlife as Onyina used to play. I don’t play highlife as F. Kenya used to play. I don’t play highlife as E.T. Mensah. But it’s still highlife,” he explained.

He also pointed to contemporary artistes such as Kojo Antwi and Epixode, noting that although their styles differ from earlier generations, their music still carries highlife elements.

Drawing a comparison with Jamaica’s music industry, Akablay said the country has successfully marketed various musical styles under the reggae brand.

“If you go to Jamaica, they have ska, roots, dancehall and all of that stuff. They are all reggae because that is their brand, their mother brand,” he said.

He stressed that Ghana should adopt a similar approach by presenting highlife as the nation’s overarching musical brand while allowing room for innovation and diversity within the genre.