The Month of Celebrating Ghana‘s rich diversity in culture is here again with us. It is the 67th Independence celebration of Ghana and Allosmediagh.com takes a look at the Top 10 Musicians in Ghana who have made strides with their melodies and tunes since time immemorial.
“Our Democracy, Our Pride” is this year’s independence celebration theme.
Ghana has accomplished much since gaining its independence in a variety of fields, including music, notwithstanding any false information that may be spread by outsiders.
Here is a list of top 30 Ghanaian musicians of all time.
1 During the 1950s and 1960s, Mensah was one of Ghana’s best highlife performers. His hits “Ghana Freedom” and “All For You” are still in high demand.
2.Jerry Hansen: One of the most well-known Ghanaian bands of all time, the Ramblers International Band was led by the highlife pioneer Jerry Hansen. He has more over 200 songs to his credit, including blockbusters like Nyame Mbere, Onua Pa Due, and Ama Bonsu.
3.Nana Ampadu: Known for his musical storytelling, he is a highly esteemed storyteller. Born Kwame Ampadu, he became known as “Nana,” the Akan-speaking regions of Ghana’s chief title, following his victory in a national contest to become the Odwontofoohene, or “Singer-in-Chief.” Hit songs such as Ebi Te Yie, Agartha, Drivers, Akwantifi Wuo, and others are well-known due to Nana Ampadu.
4.Ebo Taylor: A multi-talented musician, producer, conductor, and guitarist, Ebo Taylor was a maestro of highlife and afrobeat music. In 1962, he even collaborated with Fela Kuti of Nigeria.
5.Amakye Dede: Under the direction of Akwasi Ampofo Agyei (AAA), he started his musical career in 1973 with the Kumapim Royals. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, he ruled the highlife scene with hits like Bebrebe Yi, Iron Boy, Odo Da Baabi, Kae Dabi, and Sufre Wo Nyame.
6.J.A. Adofo: J.A. Adofo Obuoba, also known as. The Black Chinese, who became well-known from his days as a lottery winner, is the nephew of Nana Ampadu. With his City Boys Band, he is unquestionably one of the greatest live dance band performers. One of his favorite songs is the one he did with Ankwanobi.
7.Daddy Lumba: When he was in school, he sang gospel songs until meeting Nana Acheampong in Germany, which is when he was first exposed to highlife. Alongside Aben Wo Ha, Tokrom, Sika Asem, and most recently, Yentie Obiaa and Enko Den, he has had numerous popular songs.
8.Sarkodie: He has remained dependable over the previous few decades as one of Ghana’s most steady artists.
9.Shatta Wale: After releasing a successful song in 2003, Wale has grown to become one of Ghana’s most well-known and controversial musicians.
10.Stonebwoy: In a comparatively short career, Stonebwoy has won numerous international honors, including the BET. Through his partnerships with some of the top dancehall and reggae performers worldwide, he has enhanced the perception of Ghana.
11.Kojo Antwi: Popularly known as Mr. Music Man, Kojo Antwi has gained popularity and acclaim for his love songs. Numerous women have fallen in love with the legend’s music. Since then, he has not turned back, and Kojo Antwi has maintained his position as one of the greatest with hits like Groovy, Densu, Tom and Jerry, and Amirika, among others.
12.Reggie Rockstone: Often referred to as the “father of hiplife,” Reggie Rockstone is credited with creating the hybrid of American hip-hop and highlife. Reggie released “Makaa Maka,” the first hiplife record, sometime around 1994. Since then, he has produced singles like “Keep Your Eyes On The Road,” “Sweetheartie,” and “Tsoo Boi.”
13.Obrafour: A lot of young people joined the hiplife movement after Rockstone kicked it off. Among them was Obrafour, also known as Ghana Rap Sofo, whose 1999 Pae Mu Ka album is regarded as the greatest hip-hop record ever. Obrafour’s ability to rap has allowed him to produce songs such as Heavy, Ako, Oye Ohene Remix, and many more.
14.Ofori Amponsah: The “Otoolege” hitmaker made his musical debut with the duet album Wo Ho Kyere, which he released with Daddy Lumba. In the 2000s, Ofori Amponsah then made a name for himself as a formidable artist. In addition to winning numerous honors, he released singles like Sardine, Emmanuela, and Asew.
15.Yaw Sarpong: Yaw Sarpong was at the top of his game, as were many strong gospel performers in his day. When it was released in 1999, his popular song “Wo Haw Ne Sen” became one of the fastest-selling records ever. Later, with his Asomafo band, he composed other timeless tunes, such as Awurade Na Aye, Dua Esi Asubonten Ho, and Se Yehowa Hyira Wo A.
16.Lord Kenya: He once had the largest fan base and performed on stage in some of the wildest ways imaginable. Lord Kenya was Hiplife Shatta Wale, just like Shatta is now. If he hadn’t passed away, he surely would have been a well-known artist even now.
17.Terry Bonchaka: Despite having a two-year career, Terry was one of Ghana’s best hip-hop artists and a very gifted person. Despite having a brief career in music, he was able to produce numerous hits, and if death hadn’t claimed his life so suddenly, he would now be considered a musical masterpiece.
18.Black Sherif, or Blacko as he is fondly known, is one of Ghana’s rising stars at the moment. Despite being very new to the scene, Black Sherif has already garnered international fame, having won the 2023 BET Best International flow Hip Hop award. Wizkid, Burna Boy, Omah Lay, Davido, and others have all featured him.
19.Castro: His 2003 hit song “Sradenam” marked his entry into the music industry. He was featured on a smash song by the hip-life group 4×4 and has since released a string of singles. Castro is a powerful force in the business and his beautiful voice has won many people over.
20.Samini: At the age of 14, Samini began singing in a church choir. In 1999, she collaborated musically with another artist, which led to her becoming a professional musician. His name will always come up when we discuss Ghanaian reggae dancehall since he is among the best musicians in the genre. Ghanaians will always be moved by his hit songs Linda and Sweet Mistake.
