Osibis hits 40

Osibisa, the Ghanaian-led afro-rock band that literally "went, saw and conquered" the world with it infectious earth-shattering music, is 40 years old. Led by veteran saxophone/flute player, Teddy Osei, Osibisa started in 1969 in the UK with a seven piece band made up of 3 Ghanaians, 1 Nigerian and 3 West Indians of African descent, becoming known as "the Afro-Caribbean band".

Their maiden album which was released in 1971, "OSIBISA", went straight into the British Top Twenty charts, with later works including "Woyaya" and others following the same trend and hitting several world charts including billboard charts.


Osibisa's live concerts have been described variously as "phenomenal, full of energy and passion" among others. Over the 40-year period, the members of Osibisa have toured virtually the whole globe - Europe, America, Australia, Asia, and Africa - leaving indelible footprints all over the world with the flag of Ghana flying high wherever they went to perform.


The Osibisa group is "Trailblazers", "Pioneers", "Pacesetters", and is credited with paving the way for later icons like Bob Marley to be accepted into the European music mainstream hitherto dominated by Whites. Osibisa is also credited with playing a colossal role in breaking down racial barriers by attracting a huge White following who mixed freely and interacted with Blacks at a time when racist tendencies were dominant in the 70's in Europe and America.


Also, the very make-up of the band itself went a long way in fostering understanding and friendly intercourse among Africans and people of African descent in the Diaspora.Their music is evergreen, still resonates and has stayed relevant throughout these four decades of their existence. Music from Osibisa is not only highly entertaining, but educative and informative, and must be used in our schools to teach music and culture.

Osibisa is still alive and kicking even at 40. Currently, the band is made of the original founders - Teddy Osei, Mac Tontoh and Sol Amarfio - and a much younger line up including Kwame Yeboah, Frank Tontoh (son of Mac) and others, referred to as "Fourth Generation" Osibisa. They are gearing up to once again storm the world and continue to make Ghana and Africa proud with their brand of "Criss Cross Rhythms that explode with happiness".


It behoves all Ghanaians, particularly the media, to celebrate and highlight the monumental achievements of what most music aficionados see as one of the world's very best music groups, and emphatically Africa's number one. Undoubtedly, after the likes of Ghana's first President Kwame Nkrumah, Osibisa is the phenomenon that put Ghana on the world map long before iconic figures like former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and boxing legend Azumah Nelson.


Osibisa, Ghana's foremost cultural ambassadors, must be given due recognition by government and all Ghanaians. They truly deserve it. Their world-class hits include "Welcome Home", "Fire", "Dance the Body Music", "Coffee Song" and the colossal world-class "Music for Gong Gong". Some of their most ardent admirers over the years include American megastar Stevie Wonder.


Beatwaves’ dearest wish is to have Osibisa play a series of earth-shattering live concerts in Ghana this year to celebrate their 40th anniversary, for "Life begins at 40”. Good news is that a new album of fresh songs is in the offing, in addition to a release of their very best hits over the years. Congratulations and Happy Birth Year, OSIBISA.