Young Acts Don’t Meet My Collaboration Standards – Ambolley

Renowned Ghanaian highlife musician Gyadu Blay Ambolley, has taken a principled stand when it comes to collaborating with younger artists.

In a recent conversation with Graphic Showbiz, Ambolley made it clear that he won’t entertain collaboration offers solely based on monetary gain, especially if they don’t meet his musical standards.

Ambolley’s stance is rooted in his dedication to preserving Ghana’s rich musical heritage and ensuring that the music he associates with carries a positive impact on its listeners. He firmly believes that music should go beyond trends and instant gratification, emphasizing the need for aspiring artists to prioritize honing their craft rather than seeking shortcuts to stardom.

“In our time, we learned what music really was and the rudiments of music composition, arrangement, and all other elements that make good music. That is not available to the young ones lately. All they do is to depend on the computer and after that give themselves all kinds of titles,” Ambolley stated.

For Ambolley, it’s not about the money; it’s about the substance of the music. He recognizes that many emerging artists prioritize “sharp sharp” music with short shelf lives over genuine creativity and cultural preservation.

Despite his uncompromising stance, Ambolley acknowledges that there are exceptionally talented young musicians in the industry who have the potential to make a significant impact on Ghana’s music scene. These are the artists he would gladly mentor and collaborate with.

He concluded, “There are a few exceptional ones who have the potential to make a significant impact on our music scene, and these are the ones I will not hesitate to work with.”