Stop referring to our songs as Old School – Highlife legends warn DJs

Some highlife legends have expressed displeasure about how radio presenters keep referring to their songs as ‘Adadamu songs’, to wit old school.

In an interview with Christian Agyei Frimpong, the host of Anigye Mmre – an entertainment talk show on Accra-based Onua 95.1 FM – Abirekyieba Kofi Sammy, Teacher Boateng and Baffour Kyei protested the reference as derogatory.

Veteran musician Baffour Kyei noted that though there has been increase in airplay for indigenous in radio stations dedicating a day for highlife music, “they play for only a few hours”.

“Then, the presenters keep referring to our songs as Adadamu songs,” he said in Twi.

On his part, Yellow Sisi hit maker Abirekyieba Kofi Sammy said it is about time Ghanaians understood that “highlife music is Ghana and Ghana is highlife music, so we must endeavour to give highlife music more prominence and stop referring to our songs as Adadamu song”.

Teacher Boateng, who is well known for his hit track Oheneba, also appealed to event organizers to include them in their various event.

According to him, when presenters keep referring to their songs as old school, it will not encourage event organizers to include them in their events.

He opined that if they are included in events with the new crop of artistes, it will help revive highlife music and also revive the waning careers of many veteran musicians.

The three musicians expressed gratitude to Oyokodehye Kofi (Eric Owusu Gyimah), who was crowned the Best High-life DJ of the Year at the 2018 DJ Awards.

Oyokodehye Kofi last Friday presented his award to Chief Kofi Sammy, Baffour Kyei and Teacher Kofi Boateng and also donated undisclosed sums of money as well as hampers and other items to the legends, whose songs earned him the award.