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The feud between media personality Kofi Okyere Darko and veteran Highlife musician Gyedu Blay Ambolley has on a new dimension.
Gyedu Blay Ambolley recently claimed that the Vodafone Ghana Awards had become the downfall of Highlife music, which sparked an exchange of words between the two online.
Recall that Ambolley claimed in a recent interview with Graphic that the mainstream artists’ experimentation with various genres has diluted the Highlife genre, which also happens to represent Ghana’s identity.
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“It is unfortunate that people think when you sing in Twi or Fante over a Dancehall or Reggae beats it automatically makes it Highlife music. That is not true but it has become the norm over the years because these are the kinds of music VGMA rewards,” he said.
The veteran singer further added;
“Today, if anyone wants to have an idea of what Ghana represents in terms of music, I bet the person will not count any Highlife artiste since all the perceived big acts currently are not doing Highlife. We have buried our own and pursuing Dancehall music and the likes and interestingly, the VGMA has been promoting the agenda by rewarding such artistes with the topmost prizes.”
KOD strongly disagreed with his stance and used Facebook to expose his false claim. He wrote a lengthy letter on Facebook to humiliate Ambolley, which prompted Ambolley to respond. Ambolley was saddened by KOD’s remarks and wondered if he would ever be able to represent Ghana as a fashion designer on a global scale. He declared;
“I see Okyere Darko as a child. He is shallow-minded, the reason why he said those things. I am going on a European tour in May next year. My music, Gyedu-Blay Ambolley’s music, and in June, I will be back on tour. Ambolley said. So when he sits and talks, can he take his clothes on tour as a designer like the way I am going on tour with my music? Can he take his DJing on tour like the way I am going on tour with my music? If these people talk, you know they are shallow minds.”
In a recent development, KOD used his preferred platform to respond to hateful insults directed at him. (Facebook). The Disc Jockey asserted that although Mr. Ambolley was currently choosing violence, he would act honorably by ignoring him.
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“Ambolley wants vawulence. Comparing records?? 😂😂😂 Maybe I won’t mind him,” he posted. However, in reacting to comments by a fan who insisted he showed the 76-year-old some respect by merit of his age and status, KOD revealed that he had the right to reprimand an “ungrateful grandfather” “I’d still straighten up an ungrateful grandfather. I fed him before and promoted him for 30 years. If anything, he owes me money too.”