Bisa Kdei Calls for More Highlife Award Categories to Inspire Youth

Multiple award-winning singer Bisa Kdei has urged Ghanaian award schemes to include more Highlife music categories to inspire younger musicians to embrace the genre.

Speaking on the Onua Showtime Entertainment show hosted by Nana Ama McBrown, Bisa Kdei emphasized the need to preserve and take ownership of Highlife music as a core part of Ghana’s cultural heritage. He noted that many artists shy away from identifying as Highlife musicians, fearing the genre is outdated.

“We need more Highlife categories in our music awards so the younger generation is motivated to pursue the genre,” Bisa Kdei said. “We can’t allow others to take it from us. For me, I’m fighting for Highlife because it has opened so many doors for me as a musician.”

He added that some artists are hesitant to be labeled as Highlife musicians, wrongly associating it with older generations.

Bisa Kdei also highlighted the importance of the Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMRO) digitizing its system, which would help artists track their earnings more effectively.

Speaking about his latest release, Boso, the singer expressed his desire to rekindle the love for Highlife music among fans, as he believes it represents the essence of Ghana’s musical identity. The song has gained traction on social media, with an official music video set to debut in the coming weeks.