Renowned Ghanaian broadcaster Tommy Annan-Forson has expressed his disappointment with the current state of modern music. In a recent interview with Kwesi Kyei Darkwah on CTV, Annan-Forson criticized the lack of meaningful content and storytelling in contemporary songs.
“I hardly listen to our [modern] music because there’s nothing to understand. It’s just blabber. There’s no storyline,” he lamented. Annan-Forson also criticized the prevailing trend of prioritizing commercial success over artistic integrity, stating, “They say, ‘Bad news sells, bad music sells.’ If I tell a musician today to remove certain words, they’ll say, ‘This is what sells.’”
I hardly listen to our [modern] music because there’s nothing to understand. It’s just blabber. There’s no storyline.
Tommy Annan-Forson
Annan-Forson emphasized the importance of music as a storytelling medium, urging artists to connect with their audience on an emotional level. “When I play country music, I’m telling a story about myself and the listener. If a particular country song makes my heart skip a beat, I know the listener will feel it too. A good storyline connects us,” he shared.
Ghanaian musician Okyeame Kwame offered a different perspective on the issue. While acknowledging Annan-Forson’s concerns about the lack of lyrical depth in pop music, Kwame argued that modern music has evolved to incorporate visual elements and social media engagement.
“We are no more in the audio-visual era; we are in the visual-audio era,” Kwame explained. “The songs are abstract and simple, and the tales are told in the videos, ‘visualisers,’ TikTok dances, etc.” He emphasized that the focus has shifted from traditional songwriting to creating immersive experiences that combine music, visuals, and social media interaction.
We are no more in the audio-visual era; we are in the visual-audio era.
Okyeame Quame
The debate between Annan-Forson and Kwame highlights the changing landscape of music consumption and production. As technology continues to evolve, so too do the ways in which music is created and consumed. While some may lament the decline of traditional songwriting, others embrace the new possibilities offered by digital platforms and social media.
