A two-string lute from the Upper East Region won Ghana’s Song of the Year. At the 2007 Ghana Music Awards, King Ayisoba’s “I Want to See You My Father”, played on the kologo and sung in a raw, powerful voice, took Song of the Year and Traditional Song of the Year. It was a surprise victory for northern traditional music in a field dominated by hiplife and highlife.
Bongo Soe
King Ayisoba was born Albert Apoozore in 1974 in Bongo Soe, near Bolgatanga, in Ghana’s Upper East Region. He grew up among the Frafra people, whose music is built around the kologo and drums.
The kologo
The kologo is a lute with two strings stretched over a calabash body covered with skin. Players pluck it rapidly, producing rhythmic, buzzing patterns. It is the instrument of storytellers and praise singers in northern Ghana.
To the south
Ayisoba moved south to Kumasi and Accra, where he worked with the late hiplife musician Terry Bonchaka, who helped bring his sound to southern audiences.
The albums
His albums include Modern Ghanaians (2006), Africa (2008), Don’t Do the Bad Thing (2012), Wicked Leaders (2014), 1000 Can Die (2017) and Work Hard (2023).
1000 Can Die
1000 Can Die was released internationally by the German label Glitterbeat. Produced by Zea, the Dutch musician Arnold de Boer of the band The Ex, it mixed the kologo and traditional drums with electronic and hiplife influences. It brought Ayisoba to world music festivals in Europe.
His voice
Ayisoba’s voice is rough and urgent, often moving between singing and shouting. His lyrics, in Frafra and English, address poverty, leadership, family and morality.
Northern pride
For many people from northern Ghana, Ayisoba’s success is a point of pride. Northern music has often been overlooked in national media. His awards and international tours have encouraged younger northern musicians.
Frafra music
The Frafra people of the Bolgatanga area have a rich musical tradition. Kologo players perform at funerals, festivals and markets, often improvising lyrics about people and events. Smock-wearing musicians playing the kologo with gourd rattles and drums are a familiar sight in the Upper East. Ayisoba grew up in that world, and his music remains rooted in it even when he adds electronic beats. His success has encouraged other northern performers who play traditional instruments, showing that there is an audience for this music in southern Ghana and abroad.
Touring abroad
Ayisoba has performed at festivals in Europe, often wearing a smock and hat, with a small band of drummers. Foreign audiences who know nothing of Frafra music respond to the sheer force of his performance.
The kologo has only two strings. King Ayisoba proved that is more than enough to win a national award and fill a festival tent in Europe.
