Singer Bisa KDei has argued that contrary to popular belief, indigenous Ghanaian music and dance, Azonto, has not faded away prematurely; rather, the genre remains vibrant.
As a key figure in the rise of Azonto, which gained immense popularity in Ghana and beyond, Bisa shared with Foster Aggor on Star Drive that the genre has simply evolved over time.
He contended that the perception of Azonto’s decline is due to modern musicians striving to maintain relevance in the ever-changing music landscape.
“Azonto didn’t exit prematurely, rather we had a name change. Like, we tagged it with other genres. It’s just like what happened to Highlife,” Bisa Kdei explained.
He drew a parallel between Azonto and Highlife, noting that many young artists today are still making Highlife music, albeit under the label of Afrobeat.
“It’s the perception, it’s trend perception and everybody’s trying to follow what is trending right now,” he noted, suggesting that some artists may choose to wait for trends to fade before reintroducing older styles like Highlife.
The ‘Mansa’ hitmaker emphasized that while genres such as Amapiano and Drill enjoyed their periods of popularity, they have now diminished in prominence, whereas Highlife continues to be a lasting cornerstone of Ghanaian music.
In addition, Bisa KDei advocated for the promotion of Ghanaian music genres such as Highlife, Hiplife, and Azonto, emphasizing the importance of establishing a distinct identity and excelling in international performances.
“We’re trying to copy other people’s genres, which is wrong. We can’t sell it back to them like they sell it to us, but we can sell our Highlife, Hiplife, and Azonto to them properly because we are the originators,” he concluded.
Overall, the singer believes that showcasing Ghanaian music at international festivals, concerts, and events is essential for gaining exposure and building a global fan base.
By performing on international stages, Ghanaian artists can not only share their music with a wider audience but also foster cultural exchange and collaboration with artists from other countries.
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