Between 2020 and 2025, Ghana bid farewell to a few of its most iconic highlife musicians. These artists have been greater than entertainers; they have been storytellers who formed the sound of a technology.
Their music captured on a regular basis experiences, celebrated tradition, and introduced individuals collectively at weddings, on the radio, and in properties throughout the nation.
By means of many years of labor, they created timeless songs and albums that launched recent rhythms and native narratives, serving to to outline the identification of Ghanaian music.
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Under, we discover the years they handed, the main contributions they made, and the way their legacies proceed to form and encourage Ghana’s music scene at the moment.
Highlife legends that handed on within the final 5 years
1. Daddy Lumba (1964-2025)
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Daddy Lumba
The highlife neighborhood was dealt its most devastating blow on July 26, 2025, when Charles Kojo Fosu, universally often called Daddy Lumba, handed away on the age of 60 at Financial institution Hospital in Accra following a brief sickness.
Born on September 29, 1964, in Nsuta, Ashanti Area, Daddy Lumba’s journey started within the early Eighties with the Lumba Brothers earlier than he launched into what would turn out to be one among Ghana’s most prolific solo careers.
With over 30 albums to his title, Daddy Lumba created a musical empire constructed on emotional storytelling and masterful composition.
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His iconic songs, together with “Aben Wo Ha,” “Yentie Obiaa,” “Theresa,” “Sika Asem,” and “Playboy,” grew to become anthems that transcended generational boundaries.
His music wasn’t simply leisure; it was a soundtrack to Ghanaian life, addressing love, relationships, social points, and on a regular basis experiences with profound perception and relatability.
The affect of his passing was instantly felt throughout Ghana and past.
Tributes poured in from musicians, politicians, and followers worldwide, together with former Vice-President Bawumia and rapper Sarkodie, all honouring his monumental cultural affect and recognising him as an irreplaceable icon of Ghanaian music.
2. Nana Kwame Ampadu (1945-2021)
On September 28, 2021, Ghana misplaced one among its most revered musical patriots when Nana Kwame Ampadu died at age 76 at Legon Hospital, Accra.
Born March 31, 1945, in Obo Kwahu, Ampadu was greater than a musician—he was a cultural establishment who based the legendary African Brothers Band in 1963 and authored over 800 songs throughout his illustrious profession.
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Ampadu’s breakout hit “Ebi Te Yie” (Some Are Effectively Seated) in 1967 demonstrated his fearless strategy to social commentary.
The music, broadly interpreted as political criticism, was censored beneath army rule earlier than being restored to the airwaves, establishing Ampadu as a voice of the individuals.
His intensive catalogue contains timeless classics comparable to “Obra,” “Agartha,” “Yaw Berko,” and “Oman Bo Adwo.”
Recognition got here in lots of varieties all through his profession. He was topped Odwontofohene (Singer-in-Chief) in 1973 and later obtained nationwide honours, together with a state-assisted funeral in 2022.
President Akufo-Addo praised him for shaping Ghana’s highlife custom and even acknowledged his position in supporting the 2016 political marketing campaign, highlighting how his music influenced each tradition and politics.
3. A.B. Crentsil (1943-2022)
Alfred Benjamin Crentsil Jr., identified professionally as A.B. Crentsil, handed away on July 13, 2022, on the age of 79, abandoning a legacy as one among Ghana’s “large three” vocalists.
Born in Prestea in 1943, Crentsil rose to prominence because the lead singer of Candy Talks and later Ahenfo Band, the place his distinctive voice grew to become synonymous with traditional highlife.
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His signature music “Satan” stays a highlife traditional that continues to resonate with audiences many years after its launch.
Crentsil’s contribution to Ghanaian music was formally recognised when he obtained the distinguished Fontomfrom Evergreen Award, celebrating his long-standing and impactful musical profession.
4. Akwaboah Snr. (Fifties-2023)
Kwadwo Akwaboah, often called Akwaboah Snr., handed away on Could 16, 2023, in Kumasi following problems from glaucoma. The proficient singer-songwriter, keyboardist, and producer, who was in his late 60s or 70s, represented the multifaceted nature of highlife artistry.
Akwaboah Snr. was the inventive drive behind memorable hits like “Awerɛkyekyerɛ” and “Hini Me.” His musical journey included collaborations with bands comparable to Oheneba Ntim Barima and work alongside legends like C.Ok. Mann.
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Maybe equally essential was his position as father and mentor to trendy highlife star Akwaboah Jnr., making certain the continuation of his musical legacy via the subsequent technology.
5. Nana Tuffour (1954-2020)
James Kwaku Tuffour, professionally often called Nana Tuffour, died on June 15, 2020, at age 66, reportedly resulting from COVID-19 problems. Born February 14, 1954, Tuffour was famend as a soulful highlife singer and songwriter whose romantic ballads touched the hearts of numerous Ghanaians.
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His musical journey included taking part in keyboard for bands like Wanto Wazuri and Vis-à-Vis, and he even collaborated with Nigerian legend King Sunny Adé early in his profession. Over roughly 15 albums, Tuffour created beloved songs comparable to “Aketekyiwa,” “Abeiku,” “Owuo Sei Fie,” and “Emirika,” which solidified his standing as a grasp of romantic highlife and earned him a loyal following.
6. Kofi B (1980-2020)
The highlife neighborhood suffered an early and surprising loss when Kofi Boakye Yiadom, often called Kofi B, died all of a sudden on February 2, 2020, in Cape Coast following a coronary heart assault simply earlier than a efficiency. At round age 40, he represented a youthful technology of highlife artists who have been bridging conventional and up to date sounds.
Although comparatively younger in comparison with his contemporaries, Kofi B’s fusion of highlife and hiplife created a singular sound that resonated with trendy audiences. His enduring tracks embrace “Mmobrowa,” “Bantama Kofi Boakye,” “Koforidua Flowers,” and “Belinda.” His intimate storytelling model and emotional supply made him a particular voice of his technology, proving that age does not decide affect within the music world.
7. Dada Ok.D
Nana Kwakye Duah popularly often called Dada Ok.D. handed away on the Gbawe SDA Hospital after a brief sickness. He was 56 years outdated. Identified for songs like Fatia Fata Nkrumah, Odo Mu Anigye, Obiara Se Eye, and Tekyere Ma, he was one of the vital revered voices in up to date highlife. He launched 9 albums in his profession and was making ready for a live performance in London earlier than his sudden demise
