Bisa Kdei Sounds Alarm Over Highlife’s Identity Crisis

Story By: Zainab Ali

Ghanaian highlife musician Bisa Kdei has called for stronger efforts to protect and promote highlife, warning that the genre is struggling to maintain a clear identity among younger audiences.

Speaking on Max TV, the “Mansa” hitmaker explained that although many contemporary Ghanaian musicians continue to incorporate highlife elements into their music, some are reluctant to openly identify their songs as highlife because of the perception that the genre is mainly associated with older generations.

Bisa Kdei believes this perception is one of the major challenges facing the genre. He argued that highlife needs to be presented in a way that connects with younger listeners while still preserving its roots as one of Ghana’s most important musical traditions.

He also called on award organisers, radio presenters, DJs and the media to give highlife greater attention. According to him, stronger recognition at award schemes could encourage more young artistes to explore the genre and proudly associate themselves with it.

The musician further revealed that there were legendary artistes he wished he had been able to collaborate with, including the late Daasebre Dwamena and Daddy Lumba.

Bisa Kdei’s comments have reopened an important conversation about whether Ghana’s younger generation is gradually moving away from highlife or simply transforming it into new musical forms.