Veteran highlife artiste, Daniel Amakye Dede has revealed the circumstances that led to his long-lasting music career.

He said he almost gave up on doing music in Ghana but after selling records in Nigeria, his perspective changed for the better.

“In fact, there was a time I decided to quit music because it wasn’t easy doing music in Ghana in those days. I had to sometimes beg my producer at the time for my records to be released for sales. So I decided to go to Nigeria, whilst there I composed ‘To be a man na war’ and God being so good the record attracted the attention of many,” he told Becky on E Vibes.

He added that the record was so popular that it got sold out.

"That was how the musical journey began,” he said.

Amakye Dede began his career in 1973 when he joined the Kumapim Royals as a composer and vocalist.

This band, led by Akwasi Ampofo Agyei (AAA), had hits such as “Abebi Bewua Eso”, “Wanware Me A”, “Odo Mani Agyina”, and the seminal “Ohohoo Batani”.

Amakye Dede moved to Nigeria where he had his hit “Jealousy go shame”.

He then formed his own band, the Apollo High Kings, in 1980. He dominated the highlife scene in the 1980s and 1990s and has continued to have hit songs since then.

The ace highlife musician has headlined so many concerts locally and internationally. He has over 20 albums to his credit and has experimented with different genres; soca, calypso, lovers rock and pop music.

Some of his popular songs include ‘Handkerchief,’ ‘Seniwa,’ ‘Brebrebe yi,’ ‘Mensuro,’ ‘Mabre,’ ‘Broken Promises,’ ‘Nsuo Amuna,’ ‘Sokoo na mmaa pe,’  ‘To be a man na war,’ and ‘Iron Boy,’ among others.

Amakye Dede was installed a chief (Okyreadom I) by the Omanhene of Asante Akyem Agogo, Nana Kwame Akuoko Sarpong in 2018.

E Vibes is a weekly programme that delves into the background of the country’s celebrated personalities who are doing tremendous work in their chosen field of work cutting across sectors.