The Ghanaian music scene was dominated by musicians singing in Twi until the emergence of people like Nat Brew, King David, Buk Bak and Tinny who perform in Ga. Groups from southern Ghana have enjoyed the most radio airplay and even matched their northern counterparts boot for boot in Tamale, Bolgatanga and Wa. It's about time, we had musicians from the north headlining the acts for major events in Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi. It seems that is just about to happen.
For a longtime, musicians from northern Ghana made it through reggae and not other genres. Rocky Dawuni is one of Ghana's biggest musicians, scoring hits like 'In Ghana' and performing to thousands of people during Independence day celebrations. He had a pretty good video too. Sheriff Ghale has been reggae's torchbearer and some of his tracks are Election Time and Sochira. They are just a number of other reggae musicians with northern names.
Atongo Zimba has gained a lot of international recognition but is not as popular within Ghana. He plays the koliko, a musical instrument. He is one of the few new Ghanaian musicians on Calabash music with a presence on the web. His song, 'In heaven, there's no beer' made it to the Ghana Music awards. The song has some funny lyrics and the same people who listen to Otoolege, Konkontibaa and Rakia are listening to it. His Savannah Breeze has already reached Accra and beyond.
Atongo may have been outstaged by King Ayisoba, whose 'I want to see you my father' has risen to the top of the charts in Ghana and has kids singing along. Ayisoba was discovered by Terry Bonchaka but only came out with Pidgen Music's (Panji Anoff) help. His album is even called Modern Ghanaians, maybe he is signalling change and saying his style of music is the next chapter. Atongo and Ayisoba's styles are not really hiplife, or highlife - they are more like Afrobeat or Afropop - and are instrument heavy. Hey, live band music is back. And that Modern Ghanaians track is fire, and a must listen.
I believe Hiplife from northern Ghana would follow suit. VIP, Kwaadee and Batman have had their Hausa and Dagbani songs, but I expect to see hits in the near future. When would VIP give us another 'Zumo wasa', or did that taste go away with Friction? Kawastone (who had a (Fe m'ano hit back in the day), MC Rauf, BFG, Abada, KKC are some of the artistes to watch out for.
I don't understand Hausa or Dagbani, but I feel music in those languages should be prominent as well. King Ayisoba is starting his rule, but would this last or is it a teaser?
PS: Lamisi Mbillah, a Bawku native and Miss Ghana 2005, made the nation proud by winning the beauty with a purpose award at Miss World for her work on guinea worm in Ghana. It almost brought tears to my eyes to hear her praised on Joy FM's Super Morning Show and chat with callers in her native language (she hails from the Upper East region). So, it's not just music.
Oh, and she was inspired by Big Dreams by Wutah (the Hausa word for fire) to write her poem, 'Dreams'. Aww.... 
Watch a live performance from King Ayisoba
Watch the Sochira video by Sheriff Ghale
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So King Ayisoba says that he won the most Popular Song of the Year at the GMA's because he plays music for his people - the ordinary Ghanaian. Quoting him, "My music has been simple and easy for everyone, no matter their ages, status or location in the country, to identify with and sing along".
The interesting thing about Ayisoba's music is that before it was a hit, it was being played on radio in the northern parts of Ghana, and then Ashanti and Volta regions, before Greater Accra folk caught the wave.
I love that - the Northern charge is in full force. Who knows, maybe next year, one Ewe musician would enjoy the same kind of success.
This is what Panji Anoff had to say about 'I want to see you my father', I quote - "I’ve always felt that if you give Ghanaians the chance to choose between a well-made local piece and a foreign song, they will go for the local product, especially if it is rendered with a lot of passion and emotion. If that song also carries a sensible message, the people embrace it hundred percent. 'I Want To See My Father' is such a song."
The Northern charge is coming and it's bypassing everyone into the international arena, who knows, maybe Albert Apozori will pick up a kora award. :-)
I like the language myself, but i'd also like to know what they're saying. I defenitely like the song by Sheriff Ghale, but i have no clue of what he is saying. As long as their songs come with a translation, people will love it more.
the same way there should be translations for the songs in Twi, why are you singling out the songs from the North? it is still great music
Elsewhere in Bolga (Ramsey Sports Stadium), King Ayisoba and Samini led a great bash to celebrate 51 years of Ghana’s independence. It was called the Northern Legends Musical concert. The concert also featured talents like Tee Taller, Big Vision, Made Lion, Rap Dee, Sulley Awuni, Two Pesewas, and Tit Bitz.
The concert was supported by the British Council and the World Bank Institute. An NGO, Debate to Action was officially launched as well.
Watch out for new Ayisoba tracks including Driver towobo, Africa, the whole world, etc.
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