Afro-fusion artist Bada has shared his perspective on the ongoing debate surrounding Ghana’s music identity, advocating for the celebration of the country’s diverse musical genres rather than focusing on a singular sound to define its culture.
Bada argued against the notion that Ghana should solely promote Highlife, emphasizing the global recognition brought by other genres such as Afrobeats, Dancehall, and Reggae.
“There’s a belief that Ghana needs one genre of music to define us, but I completely disagree,” he stated. “Even if I once thought we needed a single sound to push the Ghanaian identity, I no longer hold that view. Expecting one genre or artist to represent an entire country is unrealistic. We need everyone and every genre to showcase who we are.”
He stressed the importance of granting artists creative freedom, enabling them to draw inspiration from diverse musical influences rather than restricting them to a particular style.
“Look at American music. They don’t have one sound; they’ve got Hip-Hop, R&B, Pop, Soul, and more. Ghana has Highlife, Afrobeats, Hiplife, and many others. That’s what we should proudly highlight. Forcing artists to stick to Highlife when it doesn’t resonate with their inspiration is counterproductive,” he explained.
Last December, Bada stirred conversations in the music industry by suggesting that relying on Highlife alone could limit an artist’s global appeal, ultimately hindering Ghana’s music industry in a competitive global landscape.
Bada, whose real name is Emmanuel Amegba, believes the push by some musicians to make Highlife the standard for Ghanaian music is misplaced. He noted that as audiences increasingly favor a blend of local and international sounds, clinging to one genre could be a disservice to the industry.
He concluded that projecting only Highlife in an era of intense global musical competition could hold Ghana back, urging the industry to embrace its rich and diverse musical heritage.