Bessa Simons Highlights Borga Highlife’s Influence on Ghanaian Music
Bessa Simons, President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), has praised Borga Highlife for its role in modernizing and expanding Ghanaian music. During an interview on Channel One TV, he explained how this genre, popularized in the 1980s by musicians like George Darko and Ben Brako, preserved traditional highlife while integrating digital sounds. According to Simons, the shift to digital recordings introduced new instruments such as synthesizers and electronic drums, changing the sonic landscape while keeping the genre’s authentic elements intact. He cited George Darko’s classic "Akoo ti brofo" as an example, emphasizing that despite the new instrumentation, the distinct highlife sound remained unmistakably Ghanaian. This fusion allowed highlife music to evolve, making it more adaptable to other musical styles worldwide.
Simons further elaborated on how Borga Highlife’s modernization contributed to its versatility, allowing artists to blend it with different genres seamlessly. He argued that highlife is one of the easiest music styles to integrate into other forms due to its rhythmic and melodic structure. The genre’s adaptability has enabled Ghanaian artists to collaborate with international musicians and incorporate diverse influences while maintaining their cultural identity. Simons noted that Borga Highlife not only kept highlife relevant in an evolving music industry but also paved the way for younger generations to experiment with new sounds without losing their roots. He emphasized that preserving such musical traditions is crucial to maintaining Ghana’s cultural heritage and ensuring its global musical influence remains strong.
The impact of Borga Highlife continues to resonate within Ghana’s music industry today. Many contemporary artists draw inspiration from the fusion techniques pioneered by the genre’s early musicians. Simons stressed that understanding this evolution is essential for both upcoming and established artists to appreciate highlife’s enduring legacy. As the music scene evolves with globalization and technological advancements, he urged musicians to embrace innovation while staying true to the fundamental elements that define Ghanaian music. His remarks reinforced the idea that Borga Highlife remains a vital bridge between traditional highlife and modern global sounds, securing its place in the nation’s musical history.
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