Legendary Highlife musician Gyedu-Blay Ambolley has raised concerns about the music industry’s growing dependence on technology, warning that it is slowly killing true creativity.

Speaking on Joy Prime’s Prime Time, Ambolley shared his worry that many young artistes today are prioritising speed and convenience over real artistry and depth.

He explained that the ease of digital production means too many shortcuts are being taken, leading to music that doesn’t stand the test of time. “Shortcuts in music are not good,” he stressed. “It makes your music ‘sharp sharp’; it doesn’t last.” By “sharp sharp,” he likened modern songs to fast food — quickly made, quickly consumed, and just as quickly forgotten.

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With a career spanning decades — including his pioneering rap-infused highlife experiments in the 1970s — Ambolley spoke passionately about the need for discipline, mentorship, and cultural grounding in music. He reminded audiences that in earlier times, musicians learned to play instruments, studied music theory, and performed live — practices that built patience, originality, and a deeper connection to the craft.

By contrast, he lamented that today’s digital-driven industry often allows a beat to be downloaded, lyrics thrown together, and a track released online in just a few hours — sometimes with little human interaction or true collaboration.

For Ambolley, music should never be reduced to quick fixes. It is, and should remain, a craft that requires soul, skill, and substance.

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