Ghanaian highlife musician Bisa Kdei has urged stakeholders in the music industry to step up efforts to preserve and promote highlife among younger audiences. He believes the genre is struggling with an identity crisis as Afrobeats and other contemporary musical styles continue to dominate Ghana's music scene. Bisa Kdei's comments come as he seeks to promote highlife and help younger musicians reconnect with the genre.
Bisa Kdei notes that although many young musicians continue to incorporate elements of highlife into their music, some are reluctant to openly describe their work as highlife. He attributes this to the perception that highlife is music primarily associated with older generations. This perception has discouraged some artistes from embracing the genre publicly, according to Bisa Kdei. He made these comments in an interview on Max TV.
The musician believes the responsibility of repositioning highlife should not rest solely on musicians. He called on award organisers, radio stations, DJs and the wider media to give the genre greater visibility and help younger audiences reconnect with one of Ghana's most influential musical traditions. Bisa Kdei thinks that with more support, highlife can regain its relevance among younger generations.
Bisa Kdei proposes the introduction or strengthening of highlife-specific categories at major music award ceremonies. He argues that giving highlife musicians greater recognition could motivate emerging artistes to explore the genre and help shift perceptions around its relevance. This, he believes, will encourage more young musicians to create highlife music.
Beyond his advocacy for highlife, Bisa Kdei also spoke about artistes he would have loved to collaborate with during his career. He singled out the late highlife musician Daasebre Dwamena as one artiste he particularly wished he had recorded a song with. Bisa Kdei remains open to working with artistes across different styles and does not limit himself when it comes to collaborations.
Bisa Kdei also disclosed that he had been hoping to collaborate with highlife legend Daddy Lumba before his passing. He expressed his admiration for both Daasebre Dwamena and Daddy Lumba, two highlife legends in Ghana. Bisa Kdei's comments highlight his respect for the pioneers of the highlife genre.
For Bisa Kdei, giving highlife a stronger identity among today's younger generation will require a collective effort from musicians, the media, award organisers and other key players in Ghana's creative industry. He hopes that with more support, highlife can regain its relevance and inspire a new generation of musicians and fans.
Key points
- Bisa Kdei urges stakeholders to support highlife to preserve Ghana's musical heritage.
- The musician attributes highlife's decline to its perceived association with older generations.
- Bisa Kdei proposes highlife-specific categories at music award ceremonies to promote the genre.
