The ongoing dispute over the highlife genre’s decline between veteran highlife musician Gyedu-Blay Ambolley and radio host KOD continues as the former has revealed new details about the latter.
Earlier, Gyedu-Blay Ambolley claimed that the Ghana Music Awards were the enemy of highlife music and that the VGMA was sabotaging the genre. KOD boldly disagreed with the former.
Ambolley said during an interview with Graphic Showbiz: “Today, if anyone wants to have an idea of what Ghana represents in terms of music, I bet the person will not count any Highlife artiste since all the perceived big acts currently are not doing Highlife.”
“We have buried our own and pursuing Dancehall music and the likes and interestingly, the VGMA has been promoting the agenda by rewarding such artistes with the topmost prizes.”
KOD initially called the comment “nonsense” in his Facebook response. KOD believes that instead of facing criticism, the Ghana Music Awards should be praised for helping to promote Ghanaian music.
“Which awards scheme has projected our music industry like VGMA since independence? How many have projected our musicians beyond GH. How many have consistently done more than 10 years?” KOD said.
“Some of our musicians have failed to evolve and quick to blame others for their personal mishaps. When was the last time he released an album?”
In an interview with Andy Dosty, Ambolley, who did not take the On-Air-Personality’swordslightly, called him “young” and “shallow-minded.”
“I see Okyere Darko as a child. He is shallow-minded, the reason why he said those things,” Ambolley said.
“I am going on a European tour in May next year. My music, Gyedu-Blay Ambolley’s music, and in June, I will be back on tour.
However, in a rebuttal, KOD wrote on Facebook: “Ambolley wants violence (vawulence) in comparing records. Maybe I won’t mind him”.
In response to criticism from a supporter who insisted he treat the 76-year-old with respect due to his seniority and position, KOD said he had the right to chastise an “ungrateful grandfather.”
“I’d still straighten up an ungrateful grandfather. I fed him before and promoted him for 30 years. If anything, he owes me money too,” KOD disclosed.
Gyedu-Blay Ambolley accusations about how organisers of the Vodafone Music Awards scheme are causing a decline of the highlife genre has been a topic on debate for a while now.
