|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
If you ask Epixode what Ghana’s most powerful ambassador to the world should be, don’t expect him to mention football.
The Atia hitmaker is putting his money on music.
And not just any music. Highlife.
According to the award-winning singer, Ghana is sitting on a cultural goldmine that could do more for the country’s global image than many people realize. In his view, music has the power to carry Ghana’s identity across borders in a way few other exports can.
His reasoning is simple.
Football may unite the nation and capture the world’s attention during major tournaments, but music never leaves the room. It travels in playlists, blares from speakers, soundtracks memories and quietly introduces cultures to people thousands of miles away.
Speaking in a recent interview with Graphic Showbiz, Epixode argued that Ghana already possesses a signature sound capable of becoming a global calling card.
“When you hear Reggae, you think Jamaica. When you hear Amapiano, South Africa comes to mind. Ghana has Highlife, our original sound and cultural fingerprint. If we invest in it, promote it and package it well, music can become one of Ghana’s biggest ambassadors to the world,” he said.
The Highlife Case File
For Epixode, born Theophilus Nii Arday Otoo, the conversation is not just about music charts and streaming numbers. It is about national identity.
He believes Ghana has been slow to fully appreciate just how valuable its music can be as a cultural export.
While football often gets the spotlight when conversations about national unity come up, Epixode thinks music deserves a seat at the table too.
“We are making progress, but there is room for more intentionality. Football naturally fosters national unity because everyone supports one team. Music has that same power if we make records that celebrate who we are as Ghanaians first.”
In other words, if the Black Stars can get millions of people waving flags in unison, why can’t a great Ghanaian anthem do the same?
For him, the answer lies in creating songs that go beyond fleeting trends and social media moments.
“We need more songs that tell our stories, celebrate our diversity and inspire national pride beyond trends and seasons.”
Talent Is Not the Problem
If there is one thing Epixode is not worried about, it is talent.
Ghana’s creative cupboard, he insists, is far from empty.
From singers and producers to songwriters and performers, the country is packed with world-class creatives. What needs strengthening are the systems that support them.
“The industry is full of potential. We have incredible artistes, producers and creatives. At the same time, we are still building stronger systems that can help artists compete consistently on the global stage. The creativity is there; now we must keep improving the infrastructure that supports it.”
Translation? Ghana has the stars. Now it needs the machinery that helps them shine brighter on the international stage.
A World Cup Anthem, the Epixode Way
With the next FIFA World Cup approaching and musicians around the globe already dreaming up tournament anthems, Epixode has given some thought to what a Ghana-themed soundtrack should sound like.
And surprise, surprise, Highlife is at the heart of it.
“I would want the world to hear the full Ghanaian experience. Highlife at the core, because that is our foundation. Then I would blend in traditional rhythms from across the country. Ga influences, Ashanti percussion, Northern sounds and contemporary Afro-fusion elements. Something modern but deeply rooted.”
Think of it as a musical passport stamped in every region of Ghana.
Why ‘Juli Juli’ Matters
The singer’s latest single, Juli Juli, is more than just another release in his catalogue. It is part of a bigger mission.
Epixode sees the song as evidence that Highlife still has plenty of life left in it.
“Juli Juli is a beautiful Highlife composition with a nostalgic feel of the 80s rhythm mixed with a contemporary sound. I believe Highlife can be sweet again, and as part of the voice of this new generation of Highlifers, Juli Juli is a great piece to celebrate our rich sound and get people dancing.”
It is a bold statement in an era where global sounds often dominate playlists. But if Epixode has his way, Highlife’s next chapter will not be written in nostalgia alone. It will be written on dancefloors, streaming platforms and stages around the world.
Carrying Ghana Wherever He Goes
With European performances already locked in and more international dates on the horizon, Epixode is preparing to take his message beyond Ghana’s borders.
For him, every overseas show is more than a concert. It is cultural diplomacy with a microphone.
“Every time I perform abroad, I see myself as a representative of Ghanaian culture. Exciting things are coming, and I look forward to sharing them with the world.”
Whether the world is ready or not, Epixode is making a strong case for Highlife’s global comeback. And if he gets his wish, the next time someone hears a certain rhythm floating through the speakers, they will not just think of a song.
They will think of Ghana.
