Highlife musician Bisa Kdei has expressed his disappointment over the shortage of promotion for Highlife music in Ghana, significantly through the 12 months of Return initiative.
In an interview on Onua TV, the musician criticized the continued dominance of international music genres like Amapiano and Afrobeats, which he believes has overshadowed Ghana’s conventional Highlife sound.
Bisa Kdei questioned the musical id that Ghana is presenting to the world, particularly throughout a interval when the nation has a singular alternative to showcase its tradition to the diaspora and worldwide vacationers.
“If individuals come to Ghana, what are we promoting? Are we promoting Highlife or Afrobeats?” he requested.
He argued that the 12 months of Return, which was meant to draw individuals of African descent again to Ghana, just isn’t being utilized successfully to advertise indigenous music.
The musician highlighted the affect of this lack of promotion on Ghanaian artists’ means to realize worldwide recognition.
“When the diasporans and vacationers come and all they hear are Afrobeats, that’s what they may take again. So when individuals say Ghanaians can’t promote reveals outdoors, whose fault is that? We’re not selling the Ghanaian tradition sufficient. That is me speaking from my expertise,” he added.
Bisa Kdei additionally shared a private anecdote about confronting a DJ for taking part in solely Nigerian songs at a membership, emphasizing his dedication to advocating for Highlife music. “That is our track, we have now to market it. I’ve chosen Highlife as my profession, so I’ve to battle for it. That’s the reason I’ve been very outspoken,” he stated.