Fatau Keita likely to win a GRAMMY with Hi-Life Music

Hi-life music is a music genre that originated in Ghana in the 20th century. Its uses the melodic and main rhythmic structures of traditional Akan music, but played with Western instruments. Strange and paradoxical as it may seem, Fatau Keita is king of hi-life music in recent time, giving the genre a touch of “world, global or international music” feel. He defines it as a genre that encompasses different style of music from around the globe, which includes many genres; Western music represented by folk music as well as selected forms of ethnic, indigenous, neo-traditional music where more than one cultural tradition such as ethnic music and Western music intermingle.

That is not to sway the fact veterans like Koo Nimo, E. T Mensah, CK Mann, Paa Bobo, Amaakye Dede, Nana Acheamong, Daddy Lumba, just to mention a few have played key roles, laid solid foundations committing to keep the genre alive till date. Though the genre is been ignored by the masses due to the existence of reggae/dancehall, afrobeats which are equally pushing the flag of Ghana high, an artist like Keita is engrossed and embroidered on in the hi-life genre, opening a new chapter in the history of the genre. It is his dream to play festivals around the world, win international awards like the Grammy’s and its siblings. In other words, Fatau is daring, hence looking at registering Ghana on the global font via hi-life music precisely “world music”. Having said this, he is qualified to rock shoulders with Grammy nominated and winning artists.

Don`t be too quick to judge my assertion as i enlarge on reasons for such an explosive headline. Moving on, here is a brief background information about the Dagomba warrior called Fatau Keita also identified by music fanatics as ”African pop musician” or “African world warrior”. His cognomen alone speaks in amplified volume. Now, the following are some of few reasons why he can win the Grammy`s if he is awarded the opportunity. He is a multi-talented Ghanaian songwriter, singer and instrumentalist who is rooted in traditional Dagomba music like “simpaa” blended with authentic hi-life. His songs are not loved by only Ghanaians but appeals to the masses in the other parts of the because he writes through creative consciousness to project our Ghanaian / African culture and heritage. Listen to songs like “asem ben nie, my baby featuring Wiyaala, act as a woman and fefeefe” to edge up your appreciation for his craft.

It’s paramount to note that, he taps inspiration from doyens like Fela Kuti, Angelique kidjo, Salif Keita and YoussouN’Dour. Looking at where he drives his motivation, it’s easy to attest to that, the unexpected should be expected from Fatau since he is on a mission to unfold a whole universe of “world music” through hi-life music. Don`t forget his mentors whom he looked up to are perfectionists when music is the subject matter which reflects in his craftmanship. Aside from the fact that he dwells on performing and recording with live band which he actually has one by name “NaawuniBei”, he also has strong passion for acoustic and string melodies. He is self-conscious and introspective about what he writes plus he is endowed in both quality, melody and style. After been signed onto Speech Production, a publishing and management label based in Tema headed by Mr. Enoch Agyapong, Keita has achieved heights of success by mounting on well-respected platforms across West Africa;  MIA festival and  Ghana Music Festival week 2017 edition, Tuumutu festival, Radio music festival, he also performed with legendary Ebo Taylor at Alliance Francise. He was crowned as the best African drummer in 2016 at SICA festival in Benin.

Even though he is gradually earthing up into the hearts of Ghanaians, if there’s anything Fatau has encroached on from the various veterans who carried the touch into the future with the hi-life genre, it would be; stepping out of his comfort zone, exploring different avenues around the genre, been objective, working with deadlines, high focus level, ambitious, serious with his craft, energetic, creative, instrumental and very educated about the genre. There is no way he can deviate from the genre but rather promote and project it in the right frame of work. His lyrical themes are often encapsulated with the African experience as geniuses, quest for freedom, love, relationship, women, economy and struggle.

It is so unfortunates we don`t have archives to keep records of our high-life legends where we can always go back and refer to the works and records for reference and educative purposes. That is how come we don`t see the importance and the value of the genre, forgetting that Ghana was recognized musically on the global map with hi-life music. To some extent Nigerians, Jamaicans and people from other part of the world travel to Ghana just to learn the rhythmic patterns in hi-life music. For a moment, lets rethinking how to push the hi-life agenda like Kwabena Kwabena, Bisa Kdei and others are doing.

(Story By: John Claude Tamakloe)