- KOD squares things up with Ambolley again
The conflict between legendary Highlife musician Gyedu Blay Ambolley and media personality Kofi Okyere Darko popularly known as KOD has taken on a new facet.
A recent statement made by Gyedu Blay Ambolley claiming the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards had led to the demise of Highlife music triggered an online discussion between the two.
Recall that Ambolley asserted in a recent interview with Graphic Showbiz that the Highlife genre, which also serves as a representation of Ghana’s identity, has been degraded by popular musicians’ experiments with other genres.
“It is unfortunate that people think when you sing in Twi or Fante over a Dancehall or Reggae beats it automatically makes it Highlife music. That is not true but it has become the norm over the years because these are the kinds of music VGMA rewards,” he said.
The veteran performer continued
“Today, if anyone wants to have an idea of what Ghana represents in terms of music, I bet the person will not count any Highlife artiste since all the perceived big acts currently are not doing Highlife. We have buried our own and pursuing Dancehall music and the likes and interestingly, the VGMA has been promoting the agenda by rewarding such artists with the topmost prizes.”
KOD vehemently disagreed with his position and disproved it on Facebook. He humiliated Ambolley by posting a lengthy letter on Facebook, to which Ambolley replied. Ambolley found KOD’s comments upsetting and questioned whether he would ever be able to represent Ghana as a fashion designer on a worldwide level. He stated;
“I see Okyere Darko as a child. He is shallow-minded, the reason why he said those things. I am going on a European tour in May next year. My music, Gyedu-Blay Ambolley’s music, and in June, I will be back on tour. Ambolley said. So when he sits and talks, can he take his clothes on tour as a designer like the way I am going on tour with my music? Can he take his DJing on tour like the way I am going on tour with my music? If these people talk, you know they are shallow minds.”
In a recent incident, KOD responded to harsh taunts aimed at him on his chosen platform. (Facebook). Even though Mr Ambolley was currently choosing violence, the Disc Jockey claimed that ignoring him would be the right thing to do.
“Ambolley wants violence. Comparing records?? Maybe I won’t mind him,” he posted. However, in reacting to comments by a fan who insisted he showed the 76-year-old some respect by merit of his age and status, KOD revealed that he had the right to reprimand an “ungrateful grandfather” “I’d still straighten up an ungrateful grandfather. I fed him before and promoted him for 30 years. If anything, he owes me money too.”