Michael Adangba is a veteran Highlife musician
Veteran Ghanaian Highlife musician Michael Adangba has expressed concern about the current state of the country’s music industry, describing much of today’s music as “rubbish.”
Speaking in a recent interview on Joy Prime, Adangba lamented what he described as the steady decline of traditional Highlife music, arguing that modern musicians have abandoned the moral and educational values of Highlife.
“Highlife has changed severally. I don’t know why they can’t keep the Highlife that we had from the beginning,” he said.
He cited legendary Highlife musician Amakye Dede as an example, noting that his songs helped teach morality to young people.
“If you didn’t have a father to sit you down and talk to you, Amakye Dede’s songs could tell you what your father couldn’t even tell you.
“But look at the rubbish they are releasing nowadays. I can’t just pinpoint. I don’t even understand them,” he stated.
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Adangba further criticised some modern music videos, questioning the use of violent imagery in them.
“Some of the artistes, you are doing a music video and you are carrying machetes like they are going to war. What do you want to teach the people?” he asked.
He also took a swipe at industry players who fail to criticise such content, choosing instead to hype songs without considering their impact.
“Those who can talk about it won’t talk. They won’t say anything. They will just praise them and say, ‘Hey, this song is a banger.
“Then, when these messages are injected into their mind, and they become violent and everything, now you are afraid of them,” he said.
Adangba noted that music plays a critical role in shaping society, adding that, “Some countries are very calm because of their songs.”
ID/EB
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