Ghanaian musician Gasmilla has expressed concerns over the country's music industry's failure to formally recognize Azonto as a genre of music. In an interview, he questioned why Azonto, which originated in Ghana and gained international attention, is still not officially recognized. Gasmilla believes Azonto has done enough to earn its place among Ghana's recognized music genres, having evolved from a local dance and musical craze to a sound that caught the attention of the international music industry.
Gasmilla recalled how international music platform MTV once listed Azonto alongside highlife and hiplife when identifying Ghanaian genres for music video submissions. He sees this as a significant moment, showing that the rest of the world has already begun treating Azonto as something distinct. According to Gasmilla, the global music industry recognizes Azonto as a genre because it has gone through the necessary phases and movements to become one.
The musician argues that Ghana's failure to formally define and recognize Azonto has come at a cost. Without an established genre identity, it has become easier for other sounds to borrow heavily from Azonto without proper acknowledgement of its Ghanaian roots. Gasmilla cited Brazilian funk as an example, which he believes is basically Azonto. He mentioned that several genres have been inspired by Azonto, highlighting the need for formal recognition.
Gasmilla's fight is not just about labeling a musical style; he sees formal recognition as a way to preserve Ghana's contribution to music while giving younger musicians a foundation to experiment and push the sound further. He drew a comparison with Amapiano, a South African musical style that has grown into a globally recognized sound with a clear identity that continues to evolve.
Gasmilla urged Ghana's music industry to recognize Azonto as a genre, allowing younger musicians to build upon and expand the sound. He emphasized that making Azonto a genre would enable future generations to add their own contributions, making it even bigger. By doing so, Ghana can preserve its musical heritage and promote further innovation.
The musician's comments have sparked a conversation about Azonto's status in Ghana's music industry. Azonto was once a dominant force in Ghanaian music, with its unique dance moves and catchy beats captivating audiences worldwide. Despite its influence, the genre has not been formally recognized, leaving many to wonder why it remains on the periphery of Ghana's musical identity.
Gasmilla's call for Azonto's recognition as a genre is a push for Ghana to acknowledge and celebrate its musical heritage. By formally recognizing Azonto, Ghana can promote its cultural contribution to the global music scene and provide a foundation for future generations of musicians to build upon. This move can also encourage other Ghanaian music genres to seek formal recognition, further enriching the country's musical landscape.
Key points
- Gasmilla questions Ghana's failure to recognize Azonto as a genre of music despite its international recognition.
- The musician argues that Azonto's unrecognized status has allowed other genres to borrow from it without proper acknowledgement.
- Gasmilla sees formal recognition as a way to preserve Ghana's musical heritage and promote further innovation.
