Speaking to Kwame Dadzie on Hitz FM’s Daybreak Hitz, the multi-instrumentalist and producer said the genre, which originated in Ghana, no longer holds prominence in the country.

According to Yeboah, most younger artistes who claim to perform highlife rarely use live highlife instruments, relying heavily on computerized beats instead.

“Highlife music is dead in Ghana, right? Tell me, who is doing highlife in Ghana?” he asked.

He noted that bands such as Santrofi, which have remained true to the genre, rarely perform locally and are often on international tours, serving highlife to audiences abroad.

Explaining why he believes Kuami Eugene does not fully represent highlife, Yeboah said: “Well, Kuami Eugene is not a big expo because the music he does is computer-based, so it’s different. If you play Santrofi’s songs and you play Kuami Eugene’s songs you can hear what I mean. One of them is played with live instruments, one of them is played with computers.”

When asked whether a song ceases to be highlife once it involves technological simulations, Yeboah replied: “You can use computers to do highlife but then again is that AI music or what is that? What are we again? What do we have to show the world as Ghanaians? What do we have that the world will value? Computers are everywhere. What do we have? Is it our instruments that we have here?”

Yeboah, who grew up learning from highlife greats, stressed that regardless of fusions with other genres, an essential aspect of highlife that must be preserved is the live performance of its instruments.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Showbiz A-Z with Kwame Dadzie, Yeboah described the rumours as exaggerated, emphasizing the good relationship he shares with Sarkodie.

“Sarkodie is like a good friend. We still message, we still chat. I have heard people talk about Sarkodie and all that; I never sacked him,” he said.

Yeboah explained that while he has asked some artists to leave the studio, it was only when they came unprepared. “A lot of people come to the studio and say they want to learn a piece of music, but they haven’t practiced it beforehand. In such cases, I tell them to go back and learn it,” he said.

His insistence on professionalism has earned him a reputation for being strict, but he stands by his approach. “I got a bad name for that. I love it and don’t care. If we don’t practice properly, where would we be right now?” he added.

Kwame Yeboah, who began playing instruments at age five, has worked with notable musicians including Kojo Antwi, Tagoe Sisters, Pat Thomas, Craig David, Hugh Masekela, Cat Stevens, Shaggy, and Stevie Wonder.

Source: Joy Entertainment

This comes a few days after Ghanaian gospel musician, MOGMusic also announced his invitation to be part of the Academy.

Other Ghanaian musicians who have been part of the Recording Academy are Rocky Dawuni, Stonebwoy and Wiyaala. 

“I am honoured to be a Member of this years @recordingacademy.

“I’ll be joining an amazing team of professional Musicians, Artistes and Creators to serve and to celebrate music in all its creative form. 

“Thank you for your support and looking forward to contributing with this new opportunity,” Kwame wrote on his Facebook page. 

Kwame Yeboah is Ghanaian musician, guitarist, keyboardist, producer, and recording- engineer.

The owner of the Ohia Beyeya Band has worked with world class artistes such as Stevie Wonder, Shaggy and Ms Dynamite.

In Ghana, he has worked with Kojo Antwi, Becca, Osibisa among others. 

RELATED

• Gospel musician MOGmusic admitted into Grammy Academy 

• Grammys 2024: Organizers confirm ceremony and nominations dates

• Grammys get 3 new categories for 2024 edition

The winners are Sarkodie, Stonebwoy, Shatta Wale, DJ Switch and Kwame Yeboah.

Shatta Wale, who was nominated for two awards, won the Best Virtual Entertainer of the Year award. He beat Agent Sasco, Beenie Man & Bounty Killer (Verzuz), Buju Banton and Capleton to win the award.

Sarkodie also won the Best Virtual Showcase/Concert award for his Black Love Concert held in August at the Independence Square at Osu, in 2020.

MORE:

• Kennedy Agyapong in ‘trouble’

• Ga Traditional Council humbles Diana Asamoah [Photos]

• Musician kicks male fan for touching her private part [Video]

He beat Beenie Man vs Bounty (Verzuz Battle), Rebel Salute and Reggae Sumfest to win the award.

The third artiste to grab an award on the night was young disk jockey DJ Switch. She won the Best Young Entertainer award beating three other young talented acts including DJ Whitney, Kailash and Wayne J.

Lastly, Recording engineer, multi-instrumentalist and member of Osibisa, Kwame Yeboah, won ‘Instrumentalist of The Year’ beating Dean Fraser, Kubix, Bongo Herman and Sly & Robbie.

Although Stonebwoy was nominated for the Best African Dancehall Entertainer award, he lost it to Winky D from Zimbabwe. Shatta Wale and Nigeria’s Patoranking were both nominated for this award.