Technology Killing Creativity in Music, Says Ambolley

Veteran Ghanaian musician Gyedu-Blay Ambolley has expressed strong concerns about the rising use of technology in today’s music, warning that digital shortcut are weakening creativity and discipline among young artists.

Speaking on Joy Prime’s Prime Time show on Wednesday night, the highlife pioneer openly criticised modern music trends that focus on speed and convenience rather than depth and effort. He argued that many new artists rely too heavily on computers and software instead of learning instruments or writing meaningful lyrics.

“Shortcuts in music are not good,” Ambolley said.

“They make the music ‘sharp sharp’; it doesn’t last.” He explained that “sharp sharp” refers to music produced quickly without soul, substance, or staying power.

Ambolley, who began his career in the 1970s by blending rap with highlife, said he worries that many young musicians are avoiding the traditional learning process. In his view, music should be treated as a craft that requires discipline, patience, and mentorship.

He recalled how, in earlier times, musicians had to study music theory, master instruments, and perform live, skills that built originality and prepared artists for long-lasting careers. By contrast, today’s digital industry allows artists to download beats, patch lyrics together, and upload a song within hours, often with little collaboration or creative depth.

The veteran also highlighted the growing lack of communication between collaborators. Sharing his own experiences, he noted that younger artists often send him tracks for features but release the final version without consulting him again.

“When they send the music, I do my part, but after that, they don’t come back for me to listen to the entire song. Before I know it, it’s on air,” he said, calling this a sign of how impersonal music-making has become.

Despite his criticisms, Ambolley admitted that not everything about the current scene is negative. He praised contemporary artists like Kofi Kinaata for staying true to storytelling and songwriting traditions.

According to him, Kinaata represents a healthy balance between old-school discipline and modern relevance, something more young musicians should aim for.

Ambolley’s comments come at a time when debates around AI, beat-making software, and auto-tune are growing in the global music industry. He made it clear that technology itself is not the problem, but rather how it is used.

He encouraged young musicians to see technology as a tool that supports creativity, not one that replaces skill, cultural grounding, and human connection.

He also spoke about the importance of mentorship in shaping strong musicians. Many upcoming artists, he observed, lack honest guidance and often surround themselves with people who only encourage trends. “If you don’t have good people around you, there’s no one to advise you when the path you’re taking is not the right one,” he said.

Ambolley urged Ghanaian musicians to return to the fundamentals, discipline, learning, and dedication to the art form. He reminded audiences that lasting music comes from artists who master their craft rather than relying solely on digital tools.