Samuel Obeng Wiafe Akenteng, who is popularly known in the showbiz world as Okurasini Samuel, has reiterated that local musicians should restrict themselves to the Ghanaian way of doing music rather than adopting the foreign style.
Okurasini Samuel, who has two albums to his credit observed that, the adoption of the foreign
style is fast relegating the Ghanaian culture to the background.
“The time has come for Ghanaian musicians to compose songs which suit the culture in Africa. I believe that the content of every song should reflect wherever the musician is coming from,” submitted Okurasini Samuel.
Okurasini Samuel made these observations in an exclusive interview with the paper at his residence in Accra.
He said “When musicians who have resolved to do crank music are on stage one would easily deduce that these people have nothing in them,” stressing that “They are quack musicians.”
He intoned that never has it appeared to him to blend the Western style with that of the Ghanaian or African in his music career, maintaining that African culture ought to reflect in the songs composed by African musicians.
According to him, his decision to do highlife music was as a result of the inspiration he draws from the songs of highlife legends like Dr. Paa Bobo, Ofori Amponsah, Kofi B., among others.
“When I listen to the music of these people it always pushes me to also do something to complement their efforts,” he retorted.
It was in this direction that he seized the opportunity to express his gratitude to ex- musicians of highlife describing them as heroes in the field of highlife songs.
Against this background, Okurasini stated that if steps are not taken to salvage the highlife industry from total collapse, the unborn generations would virtually have nothing to reflect on as far as rich Ghanaian highlife songs are concerned.
“I will entreat my colleague musicians who have decided to do crank music to please return to the fold and help highlife music grow,” suggested Okurasini Samuel.
Furthermore, Okurasini Samuel advised Ghanaian musicians who are into highlife and hiplife songs to continue doing what they do best to help both industries to develop.
BY EVELYN OSAFO