Nana Kwame Ampadu, the true King of highlife is gone! His entry onto the Ghanaian highlife scene marked a watershed: he rejuvenated, repositioned, elevated and illuminated highlife music with the quality of the instrumentation that the African Brothers Band which he formed and led, and which included accomplished stars such as Eddie Donkor, Teacher Boateng, Joe Dee, Kwabena Osae, Ancient Awuah and Baba Tunde brought to bear.
The composition, compactness and the lyrics of the masterpieces the group churned was simply incomparable.
The traditional wisdom and education contained sought to provide guidance and inspiration to both the young and old as in the pieces woven around various species in the animal kingdom:”Okwaduo”, “Otwe Agyanka”, “Apan Dankwa”, “Article 104”;
“Yaw Asante”, “Aku Sika”, “Okun pa ho yĕ na”, “So mu gye w’adoa”, Emilia”, “Sĕ me hunu wo ntĕm a,” “Agartha”, “Sika Anibre”, “Obiba Broke”, “Yaw Berko”, preached forthrightness and resilience in familial as well as other lifestyles.
“Gyama wosuro”, “Yerewe nsa a,” “Sensam”, “Sakatumbe”, express the versatility and contemporariness of the Odwontofuohene.
“Mother”, Obre twa Owuo”, “Mensu bio, Amoako”, “DK Nyarko” was Ampadu and African Brothers in mournful mood.
Today that voice has been silenced by death,but Nana Ampadu’s music, his penetrating voice, his tongue his extraordinary persona would live after him.
Fare thee well
Hon Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu (a latter-day friend)
MP, Suame Constituency
#RestInPeaceLegend
#RestWellMyGoodFriend
#OKMBMournsNanaAmpadu
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