Ghanaian highlife musician and songwriter Kwabena Kwabena has endorsed the idea of poets playing a significant role in the music industry.
In an interview on Showbiz A-Z on Joy FM, Kwabena emphasized that poets possess a unique skill for language, which forms the core of lyrical expression. He explained that these poetic talents can collaborate with top composers or artists to transform their words into music.
Kwabena stressed the importance of musicians appreciating a diverse range of talents within the industry, including producers, composers, and storytellers. He advocated for the inclusion of poets who excel in crafting beautiful lyrics, with composers focusing on creating captivating melodies.
He cautioned that neglecting the art of songwriting and failing to foster collaboration would ultimately lead to a decline in the quality of songwriting in Ghana.
Poet and playwright Chief Moomen supported Kwabena’s views by sharing his personal experience of writing scores for his plays. He demonstrated that poets can effectively contribute to songwriting by recording melodies and collaborating with music producers to add their poetic touch.
Kwabena Kwabena also pointed out that songs by African artists in English often lack depth compared to those performed in native languages, underlining the power of indigenous language in conveying meaningful messages through music
