When discussing pioneers who shaped Ghana’s renowned highlife genre, the name Ebo Taylor is impossible to overlook.
In this edition of the ‘Sankofa Series’, we throw the spotlight on the legendary highlife musician for his immense contribution to the music scene.
Ebo Taylor, born on January 6, 1936, in Cape Coast, is a Ghanaian guitarist, composer, bandleader, and record producer.
His influence on the Ghanaian music scene spans over six decades, cementing him as one of the most important figures in highlife history.
Ebo Taylor’s career began in the late 1950s, where he played with the influential ‘Stargazers’ and the ‘Broadway Dance Band’.
In 1962, he moved to London and formed the ‘Black Star Highlife Band’ with funding from a government program set up by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
While in London, he collaborated with iconic figures such as Nigerian Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti and saxophonist Peter King, a partnership that contributed to the African music movement in Britain at the time.
In 1965, Ebo Taylor returned to Ghana, where he became the in-house guitarist, arranger, and producer for ‘Essiebons’, an influential record label founded by music producer Dick Essilfie-Bondzie.
During this period, he recorded over 10 albums and worked with notable artistes like Pat Thomas, C.K Mann, and Gyedu-Blay Ambolley.
His influence grew internationally, particularly among hip-hop producers in the 21st century.
In 1992, Ghetto Concept sampled his Afrobeat rhythms, and in 2010, R&B star Usher incorporated his song “Heaven” into “She Don’t Know,” which featured Ludacris.
In 2017, Ebo Taylor’s Ghanaian funk anthem “Come Along” became a popular hit among DJs, and he later collaborated with the Afrobeat Academy in Berlin.
Some of his most notable albums include, ‘My Love and Music’, ‘Twer Nyame’, ‘Love and Death’, and ‘Yen Ara’.
In 2022, the music legend held his first American show in Los Angeles, with singer and actress Janelle Monáe, among other notable attendees.
At 77, Ebo Taylor released the album ‘Appia Kwa Bridge’, a piece of work that blended Fante, chants, children’s rhymes, and personal stories into a sharp vision of highlife.
In early 2023, he received mainstream media attention in the U.S. for his immense impact on highlife music since the 1960s.
Ebo Taylor’s contributions have earned him numerous recognitions, including the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ at the 2014 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards.
He won the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ again at the 2019 Highlife Music Awards.
He also won the ‘Music Legend of the Year’ at the 2019 Ghana Business Awards.
You can also watch videos from the unveiling of the 2025 TGMA nominees on GhanaWeb TV below:
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