Harry King to ressurrect highlife with good music

There are a few highlife singers like Harry King Abban who are brave enough to resurrect the spirit of romance, love and more in their songs.

For his current fourth album, "Eso Na Eye", the velvet voiced singer and songwriter returns with a disc full of everyday life issues. In fact Harry King Abban has accomplished more than many musicians have.

Harry King Abban pours his heart into "Eso Na Eye", an album titled to celebrate his creative control.

Music has been in the air throughout Harry King Abban's childhood, and so it was natural that Harry King would take to music as soon as he was able to hold the mic or get in the studio. Read on as we bring you this week’s 1 on 1 artiste. Contacts for Big King Records is 0032486294566 (Brussels - Belgium) and in Ghana, please contact Sethoo or Attak on 233 24 385 9194 and 233 24 416 3096.

Ghana Music.com: Seems like a lot of people know your voice, but they probably don't know who you are by name. You definitely have a voice that they've heard but we would still like you to let us know about you more?
Harry King: My name is Harry King Abban who was born in Ghana about 33years ago. I started my music career in 1995 in Kumasi with guys like Frank Mensah Pozo and others. I released my "Woso Koraa Wosua" album in 1995 with songs like "Nana Do Wo" and it was many peoples favourite especially in Kumasi, followed by "Kasa Gu Meso" album in 1997 which also has a soul touching track titled "Dasuomu" and both album were produced by Charles Amoah as the technical Producer.

Ghana Music.com: What are some of the other songs people have heard your voice on?
Harry King: Is true that a lot of people knew my “Maye Krado” song which was released in 2000 and currently has a remix on my latest album, “Eso Na Eye”, because I was not there to promote it  and there were no video clip that is why the song has been remixed and has a video currently on Metro TV but other TV stations will be tackled soon.

Ghana Music.com: Do you think that within highlife music there are many different genres?
Harry King: For me highlife is highlife, any music played in Ghana, ending up with highlife rhythm, is highlife.

Ghana Music.com: What is your approach to highlife music? There's some young musicians like K. K. Fosu, Kofi Nti, Richie out there, that approach it from a real delicate sensitive perspective. How do you tackle yours?
Harry King: I have recorded a song with K. K. Fosu who I admire so much, Kontihene one of my  favorite rappers in Ghana and  OD4 but I will release them in future. I have learnt many lessons but most of them are surprises. Good music cannot be heard on radio without money which is horrible.

Ghana Music.com: So what's your whole setup like on stage? What's the deal when you're onstage performing?
Harry King: No I’m a play boy and anything goes for me. I’m simply sexy and a romantic guy and for me on stage is my weapon cause ladies carried the day and I love them.

Ghana Music.com: What was your frame of mind when you went into the studio to record?
Harry King: My studio session moments was like a dream and joy because having a man like Bodo Staiger on my side in Rheinklang Studio, Dousserldorf, Germany was a blessing to me ,because there is no Ghanaian star apart
from our legend and  Music man MR KOJO ANTWI  who has make it to the top without the help of Bodo and I also had a chat with OFORI AMPONSAH at my Hotel and the studio we had a good time it was first time we saw each other and our conversation made my positive move strong, I went to studio with hope and that hope has given me a pleasure.

Ghana Music.com: Who are some of the fresh new artists, and household favorites, who you currently are enjoying their music?
Harry King: I think KK FOSU has a lot to offer. I did a song with him and I realized how gifted he is, he shocked me really and that boy can do many things, Richie has a nice voice and can control it well. Kofi Nti has a good image and has a nice voice so their future is bright if they keep on trying.

Ghana Music.com: Who are your biggest influences in highlife music?
Harry King: People like Kwaisey P, Dada KD and Kofi B.

Ghana Music.com: What or who inspires you?
Harry King: They are Lee Doudou, Kojo Antwi, DL, Charles Amoah, Nana Amakye, Rex Gyamfi, Rex Omar, Nana Tuffuor, Nat Brew, Oheneba Kissi, Ben Brako, A. B.  Crentsil, Samuel Owusu, Sloopy, George jahraa, Nana Acheampong,, Nana Baidoo, George Darko, Sir Roberto, Sam Baafi, kaakyire to Ofori Amponsah. I have been enjoying this people's music and thank them for showing me the beauty of highlife  which is the rhythm of my motherland, GHANA.

Ghana Music.com: How do you plan to promote yourself, since you are not based in Ghana?
Harry King: I will be coming in few weeks if Jehovah God permits. And also all musical shops in Ghana.

Ghana Music.com: We’re sitting in the year 2009. How do you picture your life being like since you started music?
Harry King: I believe 2009 will be my year in Ghana music showbiz if God permits, I will be a future of highlife music in Ghana and I can promise you that it is the will of God and the wind of change is blowing.