I’m selective on who I ‘collabo’ with – Amakye Dede

Highlife legend Abrantie Amakye Dede has said he hardly collaborates with other artistes on songs for reason being that, he has accorded a high level in the music Industry not to jump on anything just like that. 

In an interview with Graphic Showbiz, the ‘Akwadawesoa’ hitmaker said he rarely features or collaborates with artists on his songs because of his image and respect accorded over the period.

According to him, he is very careful on who he works with adding that, it is way expensive as compared to featuring anyone for hits.

“I don’t want to associate my brand with just any artiste, especially with artistes who don’t respect . You collaborate with an artiste and the next day , they are dragging your name in the mud. I am really choosy whenever it comes to who I work with.

“Nonetheless, I am working with Sarkodie and Kuami Eugene is an artiste I will gladly work with. My doors are opened to any artiste who wants a collaboration but i need to be convinced about you before I work with you” he said.

He however mentioned the Angela Hit maker, Kuame Eugene as one of the current crop of musicians holding the Highlife music to a better stage.

Dan Amakye Dede, affectionately called ‘Iron Boy’, is one of Ghana’s premier highlife artists. He began his career in 1973 when he joined the Kumapim Royals as a composer and vocalist. Led by the legendary highlife singer, Akwasi Ampofo Agyei, they had hits like ‘Abebi Bewua Eso’, ‘Wanware Me A’, ‘Odo Mani Agyina’ and ‘Ohohoo Batani’. He later moved to Nigeria where he had his hit ‘Jealousy go shame’.

He then formed his own band, the Apollo High Kings, in 1980 which dominated the highlife scene throughout the 80’s, 90’s. In his later career, he experimented with different genres; Soca, Calypso, lovers rock and pop music but continues to perform as one of the truest highlife musicians alive. He owns a very popular bar in Accra called Abrantie Spot, where he helps celebrate live-band music.

He has almost 20 albums to his credit and continues to record. Among his many hits are ‘Bebrebe Y’i’ , ‘Iron Boy’, ‘Odo Kasa’, ‘Mani Agyina’, ‘Mma Wo Were Mfi’, ‘Me Monfa Nto Me So’,’Handkerchief’, ‘Seniwa’, ‘Mensuro’, ‘Mabre’, ‘Broken Promises’, ‘Nsuo Amuna’, ‘Sokoo na mmaa pe’, ‘Kose kose’, ‘Dabi dabi’, ‘Mefre wo’, ‘Okyena sese’i, ‘Odo nfonii’, ‘Nka akyi’, ‘To be a man na war’ among others.