Gyedu-Blay Ambolley calls for collaboration between old and new generations

Legendary musician, Gyedu-Blay Ambolley has stated that there is no connection between the younger and older generations of musicians.

He believes this is why Ghana’s music industry is not progressing as it should, which makes him feel sad.

In an interview, the hiplife legend mentioned that the majority of the new generation of musicians are refusing to learn from the older ones who have gained experience in the industry.

“One thing I’ve become sorry about is that there’s a gap between the older and younger musicians,” he said.

He added that the current artistes are responsible for promoting the songs and therefore require knowledge to enable them to do it exquisitely, which the older musicians are capable of providing for them.

Therefore, he suggested that industry players organize seminars that include both generations of artists, so the bond between them could be strengthened and the older ones could use the opportunity to train the newcomers.

He partly blamed the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), stating that they are responsible for holding educational events and creating forums for networking among all musicians and industry players.

“We need to have a place where we can do seminars, workshops, and things like that so that we can put ideas behind. The younger ones are carrying the music forward, but they need knowledge. Musicians Union has to be able to organize all these things, bringing the old and young together because it’s our union.”

Mr. Ambolley further stressed that the union should focus not on personal gains but on the broader benefits that come with stable structures. He also indicated that younger musicians are adopting foreign styles due to the inadequate available facilities.

“The younger ones that are coming don’t see the light. So, when they get their computers and hear music from Europe and things like that, they start baffling with it.”

He continued that all industry players need to rethink about the original genre of music for Ghanaians and channel their energy in projecting it to the rest of the world rather than adopting styles from other countries.

The veteran is willing to take up the mantle and support, but his itinerary is limiting him because he is not stable in the country.