Entertainment Pundit, Nana Adwoa Annan has boldly stated that, Ghanaian Highlife artiste Akwaboah can never pick an award under the Highlife category under any of the country’s musical awards schemes.
Not to disrespect the artiste in anyway, she made it known that he has positioned himself in an enclosed space that cannot get him to win any award.
In an interview with Doctar Cann on Happy 98.9 FM’s Showbiz Xtra she said, “Akwaboah is my friend and a great artiste no doubt about that. But, how many people know him and recognize him as a Highlife artiste although he is. How popular is he and how influential is he?” she asked.
According to Nana Adwoa, talent alone is not enough to win an artiste an award.
Citing an example she said, “I once saw him perform at +233 and honestly he is a great artiste which a lot of people have acknowledged. If we’re to select one of the best Highlife artistes in the country, Akwaboah will be one of them. But he doesn’t know how to pull the crowd, he doesn’t show energy in any of his performances. He is always at stand still and this is no quality of a Highlife artiste”.
Comparing Highlife Legend Gyedu-Blay Ambolley to Akwaboah she said, “It’s possible for Ambolley to win an award over Akwaboah although he is more relevant now than Ambolley. This is because his songs are more authentic and he puts in so much energy into his performances. He also carries the crowd along with him and that is something Akwaboah doesn’t do”.
She noted that for Akwaboah to gain the relevance and recognition he deserves, he has to be more active and put himself out there in order not to lose his identity.
By: Gyamfuah Owusu-Ackom.