Stop copying foreign styles – Enam tells musicians

Ghanaian Afro-Spiritual artiste, Enam Keteku Angela, popularly known as Enam, has called on her colleagues to embrace their culture instead of imitating foreign ones through their music.

She is certain being original and authentic are key in elevating Ghanaian music on the global stage.

In an interview, Enam expressed concern over the increasing trend of Ghanaian artistes particularly emerging ones replicating Western influences instead of developing original Ghanaian sounds.

She emphasised the need for our musicians to champion local traditions and heritage.

“I believe as a country, we can only thrive and rise above the standards set if we promote authenticity in our creative industry.”

“We must represent our country with truly Ghanaian creations. We can never be more American than the Americans; yes, we can mimic them but the fact still remains, we cannot be them,” she said.

As an advocate of Afro-Spiritual music, Enam also called for greater recognition and support for the genre. She believes it holds a deep spiritual force that connects people to their ancestors and has the potential to captivate global audiences.

According to her, “I founded Afro-Spiritual and it is a music style inspired by an old genre from the Hadzivodushis of the Yahweh Shrine”.

She elaborated on the profound nature of spiritual and ancestral music, describing it as an art form deeply rooted in history and human experience.

“The spirits behind pure Ghanaian sounds are magical. These are the wailing souls of those who endured slavery, torment and abuse. They sang through tears and sweat as their oozing blood filled the oceans and rivers they crossed in ships and boats. They imprinted these sounds in the realms, making them everlasting.”

“When we call on them through their sounds, they hear us and they answer. Yes, the atumpan, fontomfrom, gongon, konga, the bells, horns, shakers, the chachas—we don’t know what we are missing,” she added.

She further described spiritual and ancestral music as a divine calling, one that cannot be ignored.

“Spiritual and ancestral music is a purpose that must be fulfilled, and nothing can stop it, not even myself. I tried. Imagine being guided by the spirits of sound, losing the desire to compete or imitate what is considered the norm.”

“You see yourself in other dimensions, going beyond the ordinary. Some are like demigods in hopeless places, yet they bring depth to what seems shallow.”

“It’s more than just making spiritual music; it’s about receiving cosmic sounds and important messages from the sacred realms, gifts from spirit guides that make life more meaningful and purposeful,” she shared.

Beyond the studio, Enam has built a strong reputation for her electrifying live performances, earning spots on prestigious platforms across Ghana. She highlighted some of the major events she has performed at, showcasing her rising influence.

“I get a lot of gigs, from the corporate side, mainstream and private sector. I performed at both the opening and grand finals of 2024 Ghana’s Most Beautiful—it was such an unforgettable moment.”