Ghanaian highlife sensation Kuami Eugene has reacted to remarks made by dancehall/reggae artist Samini, who claimed that because he “sounds local,” Kuami Eugene has little appeal abroad.
Remember how Samini said he preferred Kidi to Kuami Eugene on TV3’s Day Show with Berla Mundi? It was because Kidi had a stronger global appeal.
“Choosing between Kidi and Kuami Eugene. I think I will go for Kidi. They are all good and we love them all. But in terms of global or international stages, I will choose Kidi over Miami Eugene. Kidi has that kind of foreign vibe when compared to Kuami Eugene. Kuami Eugene mostly sounds local and he has a local fan base,” Samini narrated on TV3.
Kuami Eugene, though, is not of that opinion. When questioned whether he would rebrand his craft to appeal to a wider international audience in light of Samini’s remarks, Kuami Eugene, who was on a later episode of the Day Show, said he would not do so.
He claimed that in an attempt to sound more global, he would have to give up his true Highlife sound.
He continued by saying that while he respects Samini’s viewpoint, he would not follow any advice because songs featuring his genuine brand have already become hits on a global scale.
“I had a little problem with that, but yeah, it’s Samini. So I just have to let it go because I don’t think I can take any advice from that. If I take advice from that, that means I have to let go of high-life music which is solely 80% Twi. I have to let go of what’s authentically ours and go and chase what he’s talking about. But this same Angela, Wish me well, Confusion is what I’m doing these 2000 white people capacities with.
“So I don’t understand what he’s saying but he’s a legend. But I mean, I’m sorry I can’t take any advice from that. Big love for Samini but I can’t agree with that,” he said.
