Arts + Culture
A laboratory scientist who became the king of palm wine guitar: Koo Nimo
Koo Nimo, born Kwabena Boa-Amponsem on 3 October 1934 in Foase in the Ashanti Region, is the leading…
highlife
Arts + Culture
They called him the evil genius of highlife: Victor Olaiya, the trumpeter who gave Fela a job
Victor Abimbola Olaiya, the Nigerian trumpeter known as the evil genius of highlife, was born on 31 December…
Arts + Culture
Was the first rap record made in Ghana in 1973? Gyedu-Blay Ambolley and “Simigwa-Do”
Gyedu-Blay Ambolley recorded "Simigwa-Do" with Ghana's Uhuru Dance Band in 1973, delivering fast, spoken Fante lyrics over highlife…
Arts + Culture
“Joromi” was a hit in 1969. Victor Uwaifo, the guitarist from Benin City, played it with a guitar in his mouth
Sir Victor Uwaifo, the Benin City guitarist and bandleader, became a star with "Joromi" in 1969, a song…
Arts + Culture
“Ebi Te Yie” was a song about animals in 1967. Ghanaians heard it as a warning about power
Nana Kwame Ampadu and the African Brothers Band released "Ebi Te Yie" in 1967, a highlife song built…
Arts + Culture
“Sweet Mother” came out in 1976 and never left. Prince Nico Mbarga’s song for every African mother
Prince Nico Mbarga and Rocafil Jazz released "Sweet Mother" in 1976. Sung in Pidgin English over a highlife…
Arts + Culture
The night Louis Armstrong jammed with the King of Highlife in Accra
In 1956, Louis Armstrong came to the Gold Coast on his African tour and ended up playing with…