|
Papa Shee |
Wondering why some of Ghana’s finest circular musicians like Lord
Kenya, and Ofori Amponsah are abandoning their music books for the bible
instead ? Well, according to Papa Shee, arguably one of the most
popular musician to have done highlife in Ghana, the reason triggering
these exodus are his prayers.
Now based in Maryland, USA as a pastor, Papa Shee who was well noted
for his widely circulated ‘Atadwe, and Koyonso’ tracks back in the late
90’s claims it is due to his prayers that most Ghanaian musicians are
now opting for the pulpit and therefore wants legends like Daddy Lumba
and Kojo Antwi to follow soon.
Speaking to VibeGhana.com in an exclusive interview, the former
highlife king revealed that he got his breakthrough to become a man of
God back in 2000 when he performed in front of a packed crowed who had
congregated at the then Accra Sport Stadium for the opening ceremony of
the African Cup of Nations.
He explained that upon realizing the huge number of people in the
stadium, it dawned on him to channel his energies into the winning of
souls for Christ and has never looked back since then.
The onetime African Performer Award winner in Manhattan, New York
noted that he prayed for more musicians to also see the light and for
now his topmost priority is to see high profile legends in the music
industry like Kojo Antwi, Daddy Lumba, Obrafour, Kontehene, and Nana
Kwame to also substitute the music stage with church.
To him, the time has come for these musicians who can boast of large
followers to try and draw their numerous fans to God just as they get
these fans glued to their music albums.
Papa Shee, whose real name is Nana Yaw Akosah prophesised that though
it is not going to be an easy task, record hit makers like Kojo Antwi
and Daddy Lumba, can be made more powerful by God if they turn their
lives over to him.
He admitted that it is not an easy adventure to embark on considering
the fame and calibre of temptations that abounds in the music industry
but it is worthy.
Using himself as an example, the singer turned preacher indicated
that some Ghanaian musicians find it difficult to quit the music scene
due to because of the accessibility of sexy girls who are likely to
throw themselves at the musicians for the sake of stardom.
He recounted the number of times he received calls from some of these
desperate ladies who were willing to do anything to get in touch due to
his fame but not withstanding this,Papa Shee reiterated his stance that
‘God can make Dady Lumba, Kojo Antwi and other musicians more powerful
if they quit doing music’.
When asked by VibeGhana.com if these musicians can still stick to
their profession and yet spread the gospel through their music?, Papa
Shee answered affirmatively but indicated that ‘not when you are doing,
hiplife or highlife’ since the only way to sell as a circular musician
is to talk about sex and profanity.
‘’If you do hiplife or highlife and you don’t talk about this things your music don’t sell” He stressed.