Please, Mind Your Lyrics

In a short piece I wrote in this paper nearly four years ago, (October 26 ? November 1, 2003 edition, to be precise), I observed: ?Rap music is here to stay, so it seems; and tunes by its chief exponents like Reggie Rockstone, Akyeame, Ex-Doe are gradually winning the hearts of the youth in particularly. But they can go places if the lyrics are sacred, and decent and devoid of obscenity.?

The present hiplife ?craze? is destined to last a little longer than what we the old ?old men? predicted.

Creativity is at its apogee and one commends TV3 for the weekly crowd pulling shows lovely titled ?Music Music? ? which have provided the ideal forum for the youth to express their talents in a style and mould uniquely their own.

But why the title to do this piece? Before I attempt an answer, it is fair to observe that gospel music has reached high heights of creativity and is going places in songs of evangelism. What Charles Wesley and Co. did to Christianity in their days, today talents like Christiana Love (Meye Nyame Ba), the Daughters of Glorious Jesus (Brebe) a tune acutely inspiring and The Tagoe Sisters (still riding high) are doing with their golden voices.

Collins Nyantachie and the Joyful Saints, featuring his vivacious wife is also a joy to watch on TV. Of course, one cannot forget Jane and Bernice, Suzzy and Matt, Gospel All Stars, led by Mac Abraham, among others.

On another level, a million cowries of appreciation go to Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) and its dynamic president, Alhaji Sidiku Buari, for their courageous and positive crusade of health exploring and harnessing of potential young musicians to stardom.

I think the young musicians can get a lot of inspirations when they listen critically to the golden oldies ? the majestic rhythms of Jerry Hanson?s Ramblers, King Bruce?s Black Beats, E.T. Mensah?s Tempo?s Band of old, Jewel Ackah and his Butterfly Six. Equally tapping inspiration one cannot forget the maestro ? the ?love bird? ? Kojo Antwi (incidentally I named his album ?Akuaba? with chartbusters ?Tom & Jerry Aware? and particularly the hit tune ?Me Dofo Pa?, the video clips is just too innovative and captivating for even poetic words.) I nominated ?Me Dofo Pa? as the Song of the Year 2000.

The year 2004 is just a midstream but I observe that hiplife seems to be better, more inspiring healthy lyrics and as they themselves admit is going to a new level ? a level of creativity and purity, so to speak.

In this direction, I named Batman as the current hiplife guru. The parties I have attended are not complete without dancing to Batman hits.

Finally, I wish to thank the producers and all FM stations for their sacred role of assisting these young brains to bring joy, excitement, inspiration, pleasure and lyrical finesse into our homes and deeply into our hearts.

Long live the old highlife flavour and long live the enterprising highlife singers. My only advice as a Methodist chorister of about 55 years standing is: Please, Mind the Lyrics, for words are sacred ? they heal, they hurt.