Veteran highlife musician Kofi Nti has offered valuable advice to the new generation of Ghanaian artists: focus on substance, not just trends.
Speaking on Atinka TV’s Entertainment Lounge with Roman Fada, the Otolegee hitmaker encouraged young musicians to take their craft seriously if they want to enjoy long-term success.
“The youth are doing well, but they must pay attention to their sound,” he said. “Music is not just about going viral. It’s about lasting impact. There are words that make a song live forever.”
He stressed the importance of meaningful lyrics and strong production — the very elements, he says, that have helped his own songs stand the test of time.
“Songs like Otolegee still sound fresh today because of how we made them. We passed through many stages — professionals to professionals. That’s the only secret.”
Kofi Nti warned that chasing short-term popularity can be dangerous for young artists, especially in the era of social media and streaming.
He pointed to legends like Daddy Lumba and Dada K.D. as examples of artists who built careers based on substance, not noise.
He announced his upcoming show, “Kofi Nti and Friends,” scheduled for next week at Apatase, featuring KK Fosu and other top highlife artists.
