MUSIC duo, 2AM, comprising Ghanaian rapper, Hytee-3shie and Nigerian singer, Federal, is urging Ghanaian creatives, especially those in the music industry, to fiercely protect their innovative works that set them apart.
They lament that Ghana has lost valuable creative assets such as Azonto due to a lack of appreciation for their significance.
In an interview with the Graphic Showbiz on Tuesday, August 26, Federal, real name, Ferebo Jerebo, disclosed that South Africa’s popular sound, Amapiano, is not a novelty but a regeneration of Ghana’s Azonto, which went extinct just a few years after gaining global attention.
Federal warned that Ghanaians' relaxed attitude towards safeguarding their creative works poses a considerable risk, particularly when global culture increasingly prizes originality.
“Any music expert can easily confirm South Africa’s Amapiano is nothing new but a recreation of Ghana’s Azonto. The cords, the rhythms prove what I’m saying.
“Which year did this Amapiano craze begin? If we check, we will realise it started just a few years after Azonto faded. It’s nothing new, it’s just Ghana’s Azonto, and it’s unfortunate that while South Africa is cashing in big with Amapiano, Ghana’s Azonto is dead,” he said.
Last week, Billboard, the world's premier music publication, unveiled its Top 50 Best Afrobeats Songs of All Time, crowning Nigeria’s 2Baba’s timeless classic African Queen as number one on the list.
Even though Ghana’s Sarkodie, Castro, Fuse ODG, Amaarae, R2Bees and Moliy made the cut, Nigeria not only claimed the top five spots, it also had the highest number of entries.
While applauding his compatriots for the feat, Federal said Ghana could equally be bragging about it if they held Highlife music in high esteem.
“Growing up, and according to the history told in Nigeria about our music, Highlife music originated in Ghana, and they owned it, but that can’t be said today. Nigerians have taken over Highlife music, twisting it into Afrobeats and making it big while the originators are lagging,” he stated.
Federal's admiration for Ghanaian music and its potential for originality motivated his move from his native Nigeria's Delta State to Ghana in 2018 to pursue his music career.
In 2022, he partnered James Nana Yaw Asare, known professionally as Hytee-3shie, to form the group 2AM. Together, they have released seven songs - Temptation, Jam It, Ohemaa, Dance Along, PT, Fama Wo Ho and Wendy.
The duo expressed confidence that their shared vision would ensure the group’s longevity despite the challenges that often break up musical partnerships.
They also hold high hopes that their unique cross-border collaboration will serve as a business model for their peers.
“Ghana is a fertile land for Nigerian artistes to thrive, and that’s why we keep coming here, and I have no regrets for taking this decision. Ghanaians are very talented, but the only challenge is that they are not forceful with promotions in Nigeria.
“And that is why I think a Ghana-Naija collabo in a group will go a long way to promote Ghanaian talent in Nigeria and beyond, creating a win-win situation for both countries and showcasing the richness of West African creativity to the world,” he added.
