Gyedu-Blay Ambolley Explained

Gyedu-Blay Ambolley is a Ghanaian highlife musician, songwriter, producer, and composer. The first musician from Ghana and the world to formally incorporate rap forms into local highlife rhythms, Ambolley created the musical genre Simigwa.^[3]

Career

Gyedu-Blay Ambolley was rather unknown outside of West Africa until Soundway Records included his seminal Simigwa-Do,^[4] which Ambolley released in 1973, on their first anthology, Ghana Soundz.^[5] Ambolley's sound has led many to label him the godfather of hiplife, the fusion of hip hop and highlife idioms. Ambolley stood aside AL Threats at the Playboy Jazz Festival in Los Angeles. His song "Simigua-do" is considered the first Ghanaian version of previously introduced American rap in the world released in 1973. Ambolley, Sammy Lartey and Ebo Taylor are the few musicians who envisioned a future for high-life music in the late 60s and early 70s and helped transform the genre fusing high-life, funk and jazz^{[6] [7]} music.

Achievements

In June 2015 Ambolley received a citation in the US from the City Council of Philadelphia,^[8] read by Councilwoman Honorable Jannie Blackwell and Hon. Stanley J. Staughter in recognition of the musician's contributions to Ghanaian music in the US.

Awards

• Most Consistent Artist — Ghana (1980)^[9]
• Album and Song of the Year — Ghana (1990)^[9]
• Trend Music Awards — Ivory Coast (1997)^[9]
• Africa-American History Award — MWEPC, Los Angeles, CA (2001)^[9]
• Afrikan Music Award — Los Angeles, CA (2002)^[9]
• Malcolm X Music Festival Award — Los Angeles, CA (2002)^[9]
• Lifetime Achievement Award — The Jazz at Drew from Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA (2003)^[10]
• Congressional, Gubernatorial Certificate of Special Recognition — Congresswoman Juanita Millinder McDonald (2003)^[11]
• Best World Beat Recombinant Artist 2003 & Best World Beat Recombinant Artist 2003 L.A. Weekly nominated Ambolley for Best World Beat Recombinant Artist in 2003^[12] and 2004^[13]

Notes and References

1. Saskia Bosch, Belinda van de Graaf, Sandra Kooke, Peter van der Lint, Stan Rijven, Seije Slager Rappen? Dat deed Ambolley al in 1973. August 31, 2010
2. Web site: Red Bull Music Academy. 5 July 2016.
3. News: Nikansah. Rexford. Gyedu Blay-Ambolley on Simigwado and highlife history. 15 June 2016. The African Dream. July 18, 2013.
4. Web site: Gyedu Blay-Ambolley on Simigwado and highlife history . TheAfricanDream.net . 4 December 2019.
5. Web site: Various - Ghana Soundz. 5 July 2016.
6. Web site: West Africa: Blay Ambolley. All About. Jazz. 5 July 2016.
7. Web site: Ambolley Releases Hi-Life Jazz. 5 July 2016.
8. Web site: Ambolley citation - TheAfricanDream.net. 11 July 2016.
9. Web site: Peace FM Online ::: Print News.
10. Web site: Gyedu Blay Ambolley - Grooveshark - Free Music Streaming. Jodacame. 5 July 2016.
11. Web site: FEMUA 2014: Gyedu-Blay Ambolley - RADIO AFRIKA. 5 July 2016.
12. Web site: L.A. Weekly Music Awards 2003. John. Payne. 22 May 2003. 5 July 2016.
13. Web site: LAWMA 2004. John. Payne. 27 May 2004. 5 July 2016.