The Ghana music industry has produced many talents who have released hits after hits over the years.
Year after year, these artists have released tracks that have gone on to become smash hits. Starrfm.com.gh has put together a list of such hits which stole the headlines some years back, It comes as no surprise that these tunes did well, because Ghanaians love to dance and so gravitate towards Hiplife, a genre whose tunes are danceable by default
This is a list of some of the best songs that have been making Ghanaians put on their dancing shoes over the last decade From the days of Highlife great, E.T. Mensah, to the days of Burger Hilife, Ghana has been blessed with top musicians who have dazzled fans with their songs.
Relax and breeze through our list below:
- Otoolege – Ofori Amponsah ft K.K. Fosu, Kofi Nti & Barosky: Ofori Amponsah was a successful musician before this song, having released a collaborative album, ‘Wo ho kyere’ with Daddy Lumba in 1999 and three albums, Asew in 2001, Meprawo in 2002 and Sardine in 2004, but it was this song, the title of his 2005 album, that made him a household name. Featuring K.K. Fosu, Kofi Nti and rapper, Barosky, the song helped him to win seven awards at the 2006 Ghana Music Awards and established him as one of the greatest artistes in the country.
- Medo – Lord Kenya ft Swanzy B: Lord Kenya, in his heydays, was rivalled as the best Hiplife artiste only by Obrafour. Even after ‘being arrested by the Holy Ghost’, he is still considered by many as the greatest Hiplife artiste of all time. This track, released as part of his 2001 album, Yeesom Sika, could be said to be the very song that propelled him to legendary status. He won four awards at the 2002 Ghana Music Awards on the back of this song, becoming the first rapper in the country to win the most coveted Song of the Year and Artiste of the Year awards. The song was so popular that its hook, “Chick yi oye bue” became an expression to describe beautiful ladies.
- Aketesia – Kontihene: Kontihene burst onto the Hiplife scene with a bang, emerging with the Song of the Year award at the 2003 Ghana Music Awards, with just his first album. Aketesia was the topmost song on the ‘Nyankoton’ album. The chorus of the song is a popular ‘jama’ song for students in the Akan-speaking areas and it was not surprising that it resonated so well with music-lovers and got them on their feet anytime they heard it being played.
- Klu Blofo – Buk Bak: Buk Bak already had released albums with songs like Komi Ke Kena, Chingilingi, Kelewele, Akwasi Broni, among others. But it was not until they released Sika Kokoo in 2002 that they earned iconic status. The lead song, though mainly sung in Ga on one of producer, Jay Q’s ‘jama’ beats, it caught on well with the public and was given much air play even in non-Ga speaking areas. The song helped Buk Bak sweep three awards at the 2003 Ghana Music Awards.
- Oye Ohene Remix – Obrafour ft Tinny: It is difficult to select the best song of Obrafour but this definitely is one of his best. It was part of his Ntetee Pa album, which was released in 2004 to support the then Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama’s campaign against indiscipline. The song went on to become a smash hit as Ghanaians could do anything but dance to it when it was played. It featured Ga rapper, Tinny who did not disappoint. It is the ultimate remix, you know.
- Ahomka Womu – VIP: VIP in 2004 became the first group to win the Ghana Music Awards’ Artiste of the Year trophy and it was helped in many ways by this song. With its danceable Jay Q beat, the song got both the old and the young on their feet and its easy to sing along chorus made it more popular.
- Tuabodom – Nkasei: Nkasei struck a very sensitive chord with this one. The lyrics literally portrayed the people of Tuabodom in the Brong Ahafo region as ‘not enlightened’ and it provoked some controversy. But despite the negativity surrounding it, many Ghanaians liked the song and they danced to it, helping the duo to become the 2006 Ghana Music Awards Hiplife Artiste of the Year.
- Fefe ne fe – Tic Tac ft Tony Tetuila: This song sparked the string of collaborations between Ghanaian and Nigerian musicians and it did not disappoint as Tony Tetuila, the biggest rapper from Nigeria at that time, did his own thing. Fefenefe was nominated for the 2005 Ghana Music Awards Song of the Year.
- Konkontibaa – Obour ft Samini (Batman): Before current MUSIGA president, Bice Osei Kuffour aka Obour became a music administrator, he was a very good musician and this song is a testament. Coming off the Atumpan album which was released after his near-fatal accident in 2004, the song became popular for controversial reasons. The lyric was deemed profane, though it was not explicit. The song was only allowed to be part of the 2005 Ghana Music Awards after Obour met a panel that convinced them to include it. It went on to win five awards at the event.
- 16 Years – Mzbel ft Castro: Mzbel and Castro clicked any time they entered the studio and if this is their biggest work together, then you should know what a hit track it was. Finding herself in a male-dominated occupation, Mzbel had to give off her best for each song, including this one. Helped by a nice video accompanying it and the dexterity of Castro, the song became so popular that it still gets many people dancing to it today. Subscribe to watch new videos
- Angelina – Praye: This is one of those songs that you do not really have a full understanding of its lyrics as it has mixed languages but you dance to it anyway. The beat from Jam Master Jay was on point and the song won the 2009 Ghana Music Awards Song of the Year. In fact, people liked the song so much that one guy in Kumasi who made a donation at the funeral of his friend’s mother, forgot they were in mourning and requested the DJ play Angelina for them to dance.
- Woso – Okyeame Kwame: The Rap Doctor cemented his place in the Hiplife hall of fame in 2009 by winning three awards at the Ghana Music Awards, including the Artiste of the Year. It was all thanks to ‘Woso’, the smash hit produced by the Richie Mensah of Lynx Entertainment fame. This is one of the few Hiplife songs which make sense to you and make you dance as well. Also worth mentioning is the fact that this popularised that aspect of rap music called crunk which became very dominant at the time.
- Swagger -Ruff & Smooth: Few upcoming artists get songs that make nationwide impact and even affect the national lexicon. Such was it for Ruff and Smooth with their song, Swagger, which they released in late 2009. The fact that the term ‘swag’ became common in everyday language around the time the song came up should tell you how popular the song was.
- You go kill me – Sarkodie: Not only was danceable and popular. It was revolutionary, as it popularised the sort of sub-genre which came to be known as Azonto in the music circles. And it also won him awards at the 2012 Ghana Music Awards
- I Dey Mad – R2Bees: This song, apart from its nice beat and love theme, which resonated madly with a lot of Ghanaians, it was helped to fame by the controversial ‘sacking’ of Under from the group. In the song, Under could be heard doing all the rap but for some reason, the group decided to sideline him. The ensuing controversy propelled the song to the top of the music charts. It was very popular among students, especially. Subscribe to watch new videos
- Aha Ayede – Nana Boroo ft SK Blinckz: This is another one of the controversy-propelled songs. The singer of the chorus, SK Blinckz claimed at the time of the song’s release that it was his song and not that of Nana Boroo. The accusations made people curious to listen to the song and with an easy chorus and a party mood theme, it caught on like wildfire. It’s popularity could be likened to the “one corners” of today. Nana Boroo won the 2011 Ghana Music Awards Song of the Year but has since not had any song which has got even half of the popularity of Aha Ayede.
- Simple – Bradez: Taking a cue from the success their senior brother, Okyeame Kwame achieved by working with Richie Mensah on his Woso track, Bardez also hooked up with him and the result was this masterpiece which became the Song of the Year at the 2010 Ghana Music Awards. It spawned many covers, including Tie Tie, the track which brought Dadie Opanka into the limelight. That is the sort of goodwill Simple enjoyed. Simply put, simple was irresistible.
Songs like Daddy Lumba’s Aye Huhuuhu. Other songs are Samson & Delilah by Ofori Amponsah, Zoji zoji by Echo, Ringtone by Tinny, Wodin by 5Five,World Trade Centerby 4×4, Nyornuviadeby Ayigbe Edem also can’t be skipped on our playlist.
Source:Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Erica Arthur
