Ghanaian Hiplife musician Kwame Nsiah Appau, popularly known as Okyeame Kwame, says musicians themselves must take responsibility for the decline of Hiplife, arguing that they are the most important stakeholders in the genre.
Speaking to Feeling Daddy on Starr Showbiz on Starr FM, Okyeame Kwame said he agrees with the view that Ghanaians have failed to fully own Hiplife, but stressed that the responsibility must begin without the musicians.
He explained that for Hiplife to thrive consistently, all stakeholders with a vested interest in the genre must be committed to making it work.
According to him, musicians are the first group that must be examined because they remain central to the Hiplife music industry.
“Judgment on day, they will begin from the house of the Lord. If you are looking to judge who failed Hiplife, it is musicians,” he said.
Okyeame Kwame recalled that when Hiplife emerged in the 1990s, the genre enjoyed significant support from various parts of Ghana’s cultural industry.
He said radio stations, prominent presenters and people involved in marketing and branding all contributed to making Hiplife a major part of Ghanaian popular culture.
He noted that personalities including Gabby Adjetey, Komla Dumor, Bola Ray and others were among those who helped create an environment in which Hiplife could thrive.
“Everybody, the whole cultural industry was focused on making Hiplife the pop culture,” he said.
However, Okyeame Kwame said that support eventually declined as the genre evolved and some of the people who helped build its early history moved on to other stages of their lives.
He explained that some became parents and businessmen, while others travelled abroad, entered academia or passed away.
He said this transition contributed to the loss of some of the support structure that had helped Hiplife establish itself as a major Ghanaian music genre.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Pamela Quayson
