Write a concise response on how Ghanaian Highlife music emerged. What does the term “Highlife” means? In your response reference the three genres mentioned in the reading and how they contribute (changes in styles, incorporation of new instruments and other elements) to the entire development of Highlife music performed in Ghana.
Your response should be 2 pages double-spaced and should be well organized.
MUSICAL TYPES FROM GHANA
PALMWINE GUITAR MUSIC – by Koo Nimo
Example of Palmwine guitar music. Palmwine music normally address moral issues relating to good people, environment, death, being good and generous and it is performed is a storytelling mode where a leader tell a brief story and a chorus come, then story – chorus all in Call and response mode. The performers always dress traditionally as one can see in the video
BRASS BAND MUSIC – by E.T Mensah & Tempos
Highlife by King Bruce
WEST AFRICA HILIFE BAND
This is the 3rd category of highlife – the dance-band. It has moved from Palmwine guitar style to Brass bad style of ET Mensah to a full dance band with electric guitars, bass, keyboards, horns, sound control board and many more on stage.
HIPLIFE IN GHANA
HIPLIFE DOCUMENTARY by Raggie Roackstone
This is Reggie Rockstone, popularly known as the “Godfather of Hiplife” talking about his inspiration for Hiplife and his favorite place to perform called “THE OFFICE” which draw lots of Ghanaian youth closer to him.
HIPLIFE – ANGELINA by Praye
This is example of Hiplife by PRAYE: The song is sung in several languages English, Twi, Ga and Ewe among others. The rap is in local language to reach out to all Ghanaian (especially those who cannot speak English) to enjoy. However, it is fascinating to see these artists with high western influence with regards to the use of technology, dress, identity that make them modern and global.
FEMALE HIPLIFE ARTIST – 16 Years by MZBEL
This is another example of Hiplife sung by a female artist MZBEL. This song was sung to address topical issues such as stopping rape or abuse of young girls by rich older men. It was sung in Pidgin and Twi.
AZONTO IN GHANA
Example of Azonto with the song “U GO KILL ME” by Sarkodie as read in Shipley’s article
MOST POPULAR AZONTO SONG – by FUSE
NIGERIA TYPES FROM NIGERIA
APALA GROUP MUSIC – by Haruna Ishola
Here is an example of APALA music performed by Alhaji Haruna Ishola and his group. Please pay attention to the smooth slow style of the music, the call and response between the LEAD and the response. In addition the lead pressure drum the dundun which you will find across other musical style
FUJI MUSIC
Here is example of FUJI music. Unlike Apala, Fuji is very fast in tempo but also has the talking drum – dundun.
SAKARA MUSIC
Example of Sakara music performance normally sung in praise of women
AFROBEAT – by Fela Kuti
Example of Afro Beat. Fela is a unique character who goes to stage bear chest, smoke on stage and talk about politics and colonial ruling. His music is mostly a call and response between the vocal and the instruments.
JUJU MUSIC – by King Sunny Ade
Example of Juju music featuring King Sunny Ade and his African Beats. Pay attention to the Yoruba tonation, traditional dress that reveals Yoruba identity, lyrics in typical Yoruba language, instruments especially the dundun talking drum that was used in traditional music is in the modern Juju music. In the middle of the music, you will hear the interaction between the dundun and the chorus. Basically the talking drum dundun will say something and the people will repeat the text…..that is why it is called the talking drum
JELI INSTRUMENT-BALAFON – by Abdoulaye Diabate
Example of Balafon music performed by the Jeli in Mali, Gambia and Guinea
JELI INSTRUMENT –KORA – by Mamadou Diabate
This is example of Kora (21 string instrument) performance by a Jeli
ALL JELI INSTRUMENTS WITH NEW SOUNDS – by Mamady Keita
Here is example of popular music from involving the Jeli instruments. Listen to the sound of the balafon, kora, djembe and how they nicely blend with other instruments. The songs are in Bambara, Susu and Malinke – native language
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