What Does GMA Expect From HipLife?

First, I will like to state that I have a problem with the GMA omitting Batman's hit single "Linda" and Obour having to explain why his hit single "Konkontibaa" is a decent song. Music is a form of art, and an art created that has to grabs the public attention.

The GMA does not have to question whether a song is decent or indecent. It should be solely based on the sales and the number of airplay one may receive. Personally, the last Ghana Music Awards that took place I felt Obrafour was going to receive a high number of praises and awards for his carefully and thoughtful track "Ntitiepa" which in my book is a classic, but VIP "Ahomka Womu" swept the stage.

No one will look back and think about "Ntitiepa" but people can look
back and say VIP swept the awards in 2004. These hip-life artistes are
here for fame and fortune. Maybe if Obrafour were to be treated fairly
a trend would have started.

They only give the public what they want and the GMA cannot dictate for the public. No one wants to waste their time to make music that will not receive any recognition. The GMA committee may not ever understand, but if a track receives massive airplay and within a span of four to five months you cannot leave a party without hearing that one song, why shouldn't it be nominated? The GMA is a small committee, what the public wants matters the most.

It would have been ridiculous to omit "Konkontibaa" from the nominations as big of a hit as it was. "Linda" has been on the top 20 charts for almost a year now and Batman does not receive credit for that? Dating back to old highlife there are songs that I felt were indecent but respected the way they were composed.

Highlife consist of songs that dealt with sex, women, and alcohol, but highlife will always be respected because of the great talent that has derived from high-life. I can list many high-life hits that dealt with sex and alcohol but received no criticism.

For some reason hip-life seems to be the scapegoat. The majortity of today's hip-life artistes and sound engineers are very talented. What needs to receive more attention is how well these artistes compose their music the rhyme, flow, and etc. It is not an easy thing to do, and if they are embraced by the public the GMA should step back and ask themselves why these people are highly regarded by the youth, and credit them for their great work. Leave out the theory of them spoiling the Ghanaian youth. It is not the responsibility of a musician to take care of someone child. If a child is properly raised they will understand the meaning of "right" and "wrong". One way or another a child will always come across some type of indecent exposure.

It can be a child walking on the street and seeing somone using some form of drugs. It is not their fault to see such a thing, but if the child upbringing enables him to understand using drugs is wrong that is all that matters. One thing I have noticed about Ghana music in general, songs created are usually about "love" and "women". So where did Batman go wrong? Lastly, Batman "Linda" should receive a nomination no two ways about it. If you may have any questions regarding this article e-mail me @ yawamankwah@hotmail.com. Also checkout www.chocolateflow.com


Yaw Amankwah Jr.