Gyakie shared her reflections on the passing of Ebo Taylor
Ghanaian singer-songwriter Gyakie has shared her reflections on the passing of Highlife pioneer Ebo Taylor, noting that his passing affected her deeply because his music was woven into her childhood memories.
In the interview with the BBC, Gyakie explained that growing up, her father, Highlife legend Nana Acheampong, often played Taylor’s songs at home, exposing her early to the cultural depth of Ghanaian music.
She said she felt “really emotional and sad” when she learned he had died.
“I really felt this one, and it’s because he’s been a part of my childhood memories. Growing up, my dad used to play Ebo Taylor’s music a lot in the house, especially on Sunday afternoons. So, hearing that he wasn’t with us anymore, I felt really emotional, and it’s just sad that we wouldn’t be able to see him in person, but his music will live on forever,” she said.
Influential Ghanaian highlife musician Ebo Taylor dies at 90
Asked how her upbringing shaped her understanding of artistes like Taylor before his passing, Gyakie said her father always spoke of legendary musicians with respect.
She said this taught her that music “goes beyond the sound” and that deep respect and cultural connection are central to its legacy.
“I think I really saw respect from my dad’s angle because he had so much respect for him. The one thing that my dad always does is when he plays music from our legendary Highlife artistes, he tells us stories about them or how he felt about them. And Ebo Taylor was one person whom I really saw that he had so much respect for.
“So, I got the idea that the music goes beyond the sound; people actually do have respect for artistes that resonate with them. And it’s the culture; it comes with responsibilities, and it also comes with having a connection with the listeners,” she said.
When asked what she would say to Taylor if he were still alive, Gyakie said, “I would actually tell him in Twi that ‘Thank you’ and that Ghanaians say ‘Thank you’ and that he needs to be very proud watching what he has left for us, because we are going to live with it forever.”
Taylor, who died at age 90, was widely regarded as one of Ghana’s most influential musicians, helping shape Highlife and Afrobeat music across the continent.
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