Papa She’ee (pronounced ‘she’), a protégé of the late Akwasi Ampofo Agyei arguably represents the future of highlife music in Ghana. This Hyattsville, Maryland based musician has over the past decade and a half churned out music that is both captivating and uplifting. An independent artiste and devout christian, Papa She’ee loves performing live for his teeming fans and works assiduously to deliver quality music. Lyrically, vocally and melodically, Papa She’ee has a voice that is both recognizable and unforgettable. His music has enjoyed considerable airplay throughout Ghana and the rest of Africa.
Papa She’ee has 6 albums to his credit which include Mebo m'amanne sen nie (1994), Deda me (1996), Atadwe (2000), Koyon so (2002), Ate pa (2004) and Akokono Ato Pa Gen (2009). His latest work “Akokono Ato Pa Gen” is a 12 track CD that was recorded in Chicago and has production work by JQ. It features backing vocals from Lady Suzu and Ava Sherry. My personal favorites on this album are “Obeye a Mawoonso”, “Deyie Daye Wo Pe” and “Maame Konadu” ( Papa She’ee’s wife)which pays tribute to her love and encouragement. She’ee has sojourned in the United Kingdom and Germany, where he incidentally worked with Bodo Staiger (the famed German sound engineer/guitarist who has worked with the likes of Amakye Dede, Charles Amoah and George Darko).
Nana Yaw Cudjoe, as he is popularly called, is the first Ghanaian musician to come out with a full length music DVD aptly named Touch the Sky. This work exhibits She’ee’s high quality production work and level of professional craft, which hitherto is missing in the Ghanaian music industry. His music can be found on Itunes and Last.FM. Additionally, Papa She’ee’s cds can be purchased at most African shops and music distribution joints the world over. The “Wonder Boy” has performed to diverse audiences; the largest was at the Independence Square Accra, in March 1998 during US President Bill Clinton’s visit.
In commemoration of Barack Obama's winning the U.S. general election, Papa She’ee hit the studio and recorded a new song called 'Obama –Yes We Can’, just in time for Obama’s inauguration. On July 24th, 2010, yours truly was fortunate to witness an energetic, crowd-pleasing performance by the “Wonder Boy” where he was a supporting act at a Kojo Antwi concert. Papa She'ee performed Koyon so, Ate Pa, Atadwe and Akokono Atopa Gen, the title track from his latest album. And yes, the ladies were going crazy. Wɔnmo nti gyae! Please make it a point to see and support one of Africa’s most exciting stage performers whenever he is on tour in a city near you!
Photo Credit: HighlifeToday.com
P.S. I will be interviewing him for my weekend show on 08/7/2010, The Afrikan Express Show(Saturdays 2pm-4pm EST) on Akwaaba Radio.com. Readers, please mark your calendars and tune in for this interview.
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