Bisa Kdei Is Keeping Highlife Alive
Mention the name Ronald Kweku Dei Appiah to any music fan and that person will struggle trying to attach a face to the name. Ask that same fan who sang Baba and the name Bisa KDei will fall, unsurprisingly off their tongue.
That is how popular the gifted singer and songwriter has become in Ghana, thanks to his style of singing and song writing abilities, the latter often filled with didactic expressions.
Bisa KDei got noticed on the mainstream musical circles courtesy Azonto Ghost, the soundtrack to a movie with the same title. The song became the first soundtrack to enjoy massive airplay on radio, which culminated in him winning the award for Best Movie Soundtrack at the Ghana Movie Awards in 2012.
Riding on the back of the success of Azonto Ghost, the 27 year old Larteh native has continued churning out hits songs such as Metanfo, Baba, Over, Medanfo, Love Letter and Odo Carpenter. He released his debut 16 track album, THANKSGIVING in December, 2013.
His talent has also earned him a collaborative spot with some of the biggest musicians in Ghana including Sarkodie, EFYA.
The swift mood in which the versatile musician (he started out rapping before switching to singing) has established himself as a sort after singer hinges on two primary qualities: his singing skills and songwriting ability.
Bisa Kdei’s voice carries an infectious softness, a sublime seduction which gives his songs or verses a compelling shade, something which grips the listener. Again, his songwriting skill is his latent weapon. His songs are weaved in a story-like manner. His lyrics are filled with everyday, relatable issues of life. A strong inference could be drawn between his brand of music and that of highlife legends Samuel Owusu and Kofi B.
It is no wonder that the Accra Technical Training College graduate point to Nana Ampadu, J.E. Adofo, Osibisa as some of the musical great he grew up listening to.
Over the past year since bursting on the musical scene, the highlife singer has earned himself a number of awards and nominations. He received nomination at the 2013 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards in the Best Hiplife Song of The Year category. That same year at the MTN 4syte Music Video Awards, Bisa Kdei was a contender for the Best Storyline Video, Best Hiplfe Video, Best Highlife Video and Best Discovery Video accolades.
With highlife going through a period of stalemate, losing it competitiveness in recent times on the music landscape, it is refreshing to note that a young singer is leading the renaissance, carrying the torch of hope aloft, winning the hearts and minds of many with his incredible gift-his voice and songwriting skills in the process.
Whether his success will inspire other young musicians to branch into the highlife turf is something worth waiting to see. But as things stand, Bisa Kdei is giving highlife a new lease of life.
by @swayekidd
