Ghana music used to be about inspiration not profanity, says Zagidi

Veteran dancehall artiste Zagidi Bogidi has expressed concern over the increasing levels of profanity in Ghanaian music.

According to him, the early days of Ghanaian music, particularly hiplife, were focused on inspiration and meaningful messages.

In a recent interview on the Ayeekoo Ayeekoo mid-morning show on Accra 100.5 FM with host Nana Romeo, Zagidi lamented that modern music is dominated by profane content, which he believes is a deviation from its intended purpose of providing advice and inspiration.

Zagidi, whose real name is Dominic Akosa and who permanently resides in Italy, is in Ghana to promote his latest single, "Ku Ma Mi," recorded in Ghana.

Reflecting on his early career, he emphasized the dedication artistes of his era had in the studio, striving to create impactful music.

He noted that producing a good chorus meant undergoing a rigorous creative process.

As the leader of the group Patty Riders in the early 1990s, Zagidi recalled how Ghanaian music was once centred on inspiration, citing artistes like Papa Yankson.

Despite the evolving nature of music, he stressed that maintaining inspirational qualities should be a hallmark of the genre.

"As of 1994, I was performing as a dancehall artiste with a live band with DJ Azigizah and I have been doing so in Italy," he stressed.

He noted that even though he did not get anything substantial as an artiste, music has been his passion all these years.

Zagidi also mentioned his pioneering role in live performances, highlighting the contributions of peers such as Tic Tac, Nananom, Mahoney P, and General Marcus in establishing hiplife before the rise of Reggie Rockstone.

The group Patty Riders were celebrated for their performances, winning the best-performing trio award consecutively during Fun World's peak in the late 1990s.

They also won the Maxi Malt competition organized by Guinness and Fan Milk for outstanding groups at Kiddafest.

Additionally, they were recognized as the outstanding group at Panafest '95 in Cape Coast in the Central Region and performed with legendary South African reggae artiste Lucky Dube at the National Theatre during South Africa's independence anniversary celebrations.

He shared his inspiration for the latest hit single "Ku Ma Mi," adding that the track is performing well in Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti Region, following his tour and video shoot at Asante Mampong as a way to give back to society.