Gyedu-Blay Ambolley picks Kofi Kinaata to lead highlife forward
The future of highlife music continues to spark debate, with some suggesting the genre is fading while others argue that young artistes are keeping it alive.
For veteran musician Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, one artiste stands out as the torchbearer of the highlife legacy, Kofi Kinaata.
Speaking in a media interview, Ambolley said he has confidence in Kinaata’s ability to carry the genre forward.
“With the direction he wants to go, he is stepping out of the yo-yos. He is sticking to his highlife identity and even adding something to it. That shows me he is musically inclined enough to do it. We have to pass on the baton, and he is the only one I know who can,” Ambolley said.
He explained that his endorsement was based on years of closely following Kinaata’s work and craft, which he described as firmly rooted in highlife.
The conversation comes against the backdrop of an earlier attempt to crown a ‘Future King of Highlife.’
At the 20th Vodafone Ghana Music Awards, Kuami Eugene, who won Highlife Artiste of the Year, was symbolically crowned by veteran Amakye Dede.
However, Amakye Dede later clarified that the gesture was orchestrated by the event organisers and not his personal decision.
