Steven Atambire, known in the Music industry as “Stevoo”, has advised young artistes in the Upper East Region to produce songs which blends the rich culture and traditions around them, so as to get the attention of the people of the region and others who also appreciate traditional music.
According to him, the people of the region, are still connected to their traditions and cultures and easily accept good traditional songs and Musicians who inspire them with proverbs and traditional counsels.
Stevoo is a Traditional Musician, who still performs with traditional music instruments and promotes the cultural heritage in his songs, despite his fame and international exposures. It therefore does not come as a surprise that Stevoo continue to be the best choice for many events in the Upper East region.
He has worked with some other young and sensational artistes in Ghana including, Yaa Pono, Wanlov, Medikal and some Traditional Musicians and Rappers from Burkina-Faso.
Speaking to A1 Radio’s Sunset Drive, in Bolgatanga, the musician who uses the local one string Guitar (Kolgor), thinks his songs would not have gone far nor accepted in the region if he had not infused his rich Bongo culture and tradition.
“Tradition is very important in every aspect of our lives. Why do I say so, I have traveled around the World due to the help of my “Nayolko” culture, which I was born with. It is important for us as musicians to always portray our cultural heritage wherever we found ourselves. I think up and coming artists in the region and beyond should note that, doing Rap, Dancehall or RnB music the Upper East region is good, but will only limit them to where they are coming from. It will not send them anywhere unless they blend their cultures to make them unique. Stop the everyday Western music style and focus on our culture to become unique musicians.” He advised.
According to Stevoo, the Americans are doing Rap Music and their people like them, the Jamaicans also do the Dancehall and their people like them, and so if anyone wants to be accepted there, the artiste must be different.
“…you can’t be accepted over them if you do these same songs. They will accept you there if you are different and unique.” He noted.
Stevoo is hopeful that, his style and kind of music will not be limited to the region, but will continue to cross borders and become a legacy for yet to be born musicians, to build upon.
He has initiated an annual festival in his native Nayolko Community, dubbed “Saawuo” which simply means “the Raining Season is over”. The first edition of the festival is scheduled for October 20, 2018.
Source: a1radioonline.com | 101.1MHz | Moses Apiah
