Ghanaian Pop Music

Ghana Music is a term denoting a style of modern African music that emerged during the Ghana era. This music genre was typified by the soul-stretching reggae that served as the mainstay for the Ghanaian community from the late nineteen hundreds to the early twenty-first century. The Ghanaian musical form had evolved through a long and vibrant history that gave birth to some of the most beloved and respected musicians in the world today. Some of these include Patrick Swayze, Luther Vandross, James Blunt, Akon, Tinah and many more.

In Ghana, as in the rest of Africa, music is not just something that you do but it is an art that is appreciated and revered as much as dance, bead work and bead making. In Ghana music, the young people make use of traditional instruments such as shamans' drums and lutes and use them in a new way to create unique sounds that cannot be mistaken. The essence of new age Ghanaian music can be summarized in the phrase 'ulse ceremo'. This expression means "electric pulse" - a concept that was very much prominent in the Ghanaian hip hop scene. Since the time the new generation of Ghanaian hip hop artists emerged, the music has grown in popularity.

The best way to understand what distinguishes Ghanaian music from that of its counterparts in other African countries is to understand the holistic structure of traditional music. Traditional music is intimately connected to the beliefs and ethos of the Ghanaians. For example, there is one particular hymn that is used to worship the Goddess of Reeds, which is known as the "Knowledge of Healing". The phrase "Knowledge of Healing" is a clear allusion to the talking drum that is the feature of traditional music in Ghana. The speaking drum is a central feature of traditional music of Ghana where the rhythm is created by a number of men playing at the same time on sticks called tambourines. Click here for more details about Stonebwoy

Another feature of traditional music of Ghana is the use of the kumba or rhythmical dance form. The origin of the kumba appears to have been with theory or modern day West African Congolese people. However, the term "kumba" today is commonly used to describe the distinctive style of walking that has become synonymous with traditional music of Ghana. The origin of this particular walking technique can be traced back to Ghana's slave trade era, when the men would walk to work in the morning and at night while the women would make food for their families.

The most popular music genres of Ghana are West African Big beat and R&B. The most popular songs that are considered to be authentic by Ghanaians include ones by Kwara Osewe, Dedication of oneself by Tunde Adeyi, Mute Oye Ebonyo by Kwara Ezonela, I'ma Muwa Thumbu by Kwara Mustafa and many others. These songs have regularly topped the charts in the Ghana music industry. Some other popular Ghanaian top 20 hits that have made it to the world stage include No Way by Habanero and Nobody by Tunde Adeyi.

Most artists from Ghana have chosen to perform around the world and have performed in front of a packed audience including famous US politicians. These artists have been successful in their home country but abroad they have become celebrities overnight. Ghanaian pop stars have conquered the airwaves of the West and have been performing at high profile parties worldwide. They have also travelled to the United States where they have opened for big names such as Madonna, Elton John Lennon. Ghanaian pop stars have also gained global popularity by performing at various music festivals such as the Africa Music Awards, Super Bowl and many more. It is these acts that have transformed Ghanaian pop into a hit song that is enjoyed by millions of fans.