5 Reasons I Believe Bertha’s “Kae” is better than her “Am I”

When I heard Bertha’s new single, Kae (remember), released on Valentine’s Eve (Feb. 13), the first thing I did was call her to congratulate her for a good work done. Though I believe Bertha is a good singer, I never saw her as someone whose performance on a song could be as powerful as it is on Kae. Her performance on her first single, am I featuring Sarkodie, was below the belt for a girl who won the 2009 edition of Stars of the Future. Her second single, incredible, was better but not off the hook like Kae. Below are 5 reasons I believe Kae would do better than both.

Vocal delivery

For starts, Kae was about Bertha displaying her vocal abilities which she did perfectly. The singer-songwriter demonstrated her mastery of her uniquely-textured voice which she beautifully weaved the lyrics of the song with. Though her singing is more impressive than expressive, it is also engaging. In the song, Bertha was trying to convince an old flame to come back to what she shared with him and trust me, if I was that lover, her vocal performance alone would get me running back to her arms. Am I didn’t sound that powerful vocally.

Direct storyline

“Am I?” sounded like a song that wasn’t planned. It was difficult to make the head and tail of the story the writer was trying to tell in the song. It sounded like she just wanted to prove to the world she too could write, and that was it. The song was too packed with unnecessary lyrics. I am tempted to think “Am I?” was an experimental number. “Kae” sounds more definite and on point. Bertha deserves a thumb up for the writing.

Simplicity of lyrics

In music, simplicity is the key getting remembered. People should able to sing along to the words of one’s song effortlessly. The most commercially-successful songs worldwide have a lyrical content that is easy to memorize and sing along. Why are P-Squared, 2 Face, D’Banj, Samini and Cabo Snoop commercially-successful? If you ask me, I believe Kojo Antwi is the most respected musician in Ghana but Daddy Lumba is the most commercially-successful. This is because one could easily memorize a DL song and sing along. While Kojo Antwi is a musician for the elites, Daddy Lumba is one for everyone. Simplicity is one of the reasons I believe Bertha’s Kae would go far.

General production

The song was originally produced by Kumasi-based T-Wizzle (of Atumpan’s “the thing”). It was later mastered by Osei of Kwame Yeboah’s Ohia beye ya band and that accounts for the use of elements of live instruments. The instrumentation and overall finishing of the song is a professional’s masterpiece. Bertha’s singing felt directly on the beat and it thrills the ear of the listener. One could feel what he is listening to.

Promotion

I had a conversation with a musician friend who was considering a change of management. We both came to one conclusion; if you want your song to be promoted well then you should be working with Bulldog’s Bullhaus Entertainment, Kiki Banson’s EKB Records, Ahmed Banda’s Bandex Production or Kwesi Ernest. Bulldog has a track record with 5Five, Iwan and Nii Soul. All three were very popular when they were working with him and I doubt if their songs could get that popular minus him. Bulldog knows who to tell what to do what. (I heard he pays well for payola too, unsubstantiated though). Now that Bertha is signed to Bulldog’s Bullhaus Entertainment (after she moved to Fred Darko’s Evolution from Charterhouse), she is at the verge of getting her songs very popular on radio and TV. That is good for her image and business. So Bulldog, if you are reading this, pay attention to Kae and make is successful.

Bertha’s soulful Kae is an above average performance. With it, she has added her name to Becca, Efya and Nana Yaa are the best songstresses in Ghana at the moment.