By: Samed Bitamsimli, Halifax,
Canada
 |
| Samed Bitamsimli |
There's been this controversy as
to whether Doobia Sherrif Ghale must sing in English to be able to breakthrough
the world of reggae music.
Many people think that our musicians must sing in so called popular languages, rather than Dagbanli or northern dialects, to be able to compete well in the music industry.
That sounds progressive anyway, but I rather beg to differ from that point! To suggest that Dagbanli cannot promote the fortunes of Doobia Sheriff Ghale, and for that matter northern music, is merely apologizing to language inferiority complex and by extension, a mockery of the worthiness of our own language to compete others.
I will not discourage our legend Sherriff Ghale or any of his colleagues from programming English songs, but will rather emphasize that Dagbanli gives him the edge and unique identity and as well represents an innovation in the world of reggae music. Comrade Sherrif's Dagbanli has undoubtedly added to the statusquo of ragae music.
Many people think that our musicians must sing in so called popular languages, rather than Dagbanli or northern dialects, to be able to compete well in the music industry.
That sounds progressive anyway, but I rather beg to differ from that point! To suggest that Dagbanli cannot promote the fortunes of Doobia Sheriff Ghale, and for that matter northern music, is merely apologizing to language inferiority complex and by extension, a mockery of the worthiness of our own language to compete others.
I will not discourage our legend Sherriff Ghale or any of his colleagues from programming English songs, but will rather emphasize that Dagbanli gives him the edge and unique identity and as well represents an innovation in the world of reggae music. Comrade Sherrif's Dagbanli has undoubtedly added to the statusquo of ragae music.
He's transformed the tradition and
brought raggae music more closer to the doorsteps of Dagbon people, something
the likes of Joseph Hill, Robert Nesta Marley and Lucky Dube could not do. This
makes him a hero just as any of the aforementioned prophets of the reggae
tradition.
Besides, music is a universal language that is embedded in the quality of sound and lyrics. It is widely common to sing along a foreign musician, in a language you've never spoken all your life...apparently because the sound and lyrics define and fulfill your musical expectations. I for one, listen and enjoy Ashanti gospel music, although I hardly understand the message. The rhythm, instrumental and pitch of the music is what satisfy my expectations. Language is not a standard in measuring the impact or relevance of a music piece. Jamaican, South African, and Carribean musicians sing in their mother tongues, yet the world adores them. The late Brenda of "Vuuli" fame and Angelina Kujo are empirical examples of the excellence of local dialectical music.
To buttress this point, comrade Sherriff recently performed in the Sabaaba Project in Europe, much to the admiration of music fans in the Netherlands and Denmark. He was in that project alongside another hero of Northern music, Abdul Rashid Kawawa (Kawastone). Barely a month ago, Sherriff was the only Ghanian nominee who performed in high profile international fiesta, which featured in a Crew Ship from Brazil that cruised into the coast of West Africa.
Sherrif won the Best Ghanaian Raggae Artists in 2007* on the back of his banner track "Sochira" which was programmed and sang in Dagbanli. This goes to resonate in my opinion that music is universal and appreciated in a universal context.
If Sherriff must sing in English, he will only trail the steps of the likes of Joseph Hill, Lucky Dube, and Robert Nesta Marley and never can he turn into them. But Dagbbanli will accord him a unique identity that will eventually match in the popularity of those heroes.
This is my personal opinion; it does not necessarily reflect in the collective thought of this channel.
Besides, music is a universal language that is embedded in the quality of sound and lyrics. It is widely common to sing along a foreign musician, in a language you've never spoken all your life...apparently because the sound and lyrics define and fulfill your musical expectations. I for one, listen and enjoy Ashanti gospel music, although I hardly understand the message. The rhythm, instrumental and pitch of the music is what satisfy my expectations. Language is not a standard in measuring the impact or relevance of a music piece. Jamaican, South African, and Carribean musicians sing in their mother tongues, yet the world adores them. The late Brenda of "Vuuli" fame and Angelina Kujo are empirical examples of the excellence of local dialectical music.
To buttress this point, comrade Sherriff recently performed in the Sabaaba Project in Europe, much to the admiration of music fans in the Netherlands and Denmark. He was in that project alongside another hero of Northern music, Abdul Rashid Kawawa (Kawastone). Barely a month ago, Sherriff was the only Ghanian nominee who performed in high profile international fiesta, which featured in a Crew Ship from Brazil that cruised into the coast of West Africa.
Sherrif won the Best Ghanaian Raggae Artists in 2007* on the back of his banner track "Sochira" which was programmed and sang in Dagbanli. This goes to resonate in my opinion that music is universal and appreciated in a universal context.
If Sherriff must sing in English, he will only trail the steps of the likes of Joseph Hill, Lucky Dube, and Robert Nesta Marley and never can he turn into them. But Dagbbanli will accord him a unique identity that will eventually match in the popularity of those heroes.
This is my personal opinion; it does not necessarily reflect in the collective thought of this channel.
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