Amakye Dede

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Amakye Dede
Amakye Dede
Background information
Birth nameDaniel Amakye Dede
Also known asIron Boy
Born (1958-01-05) 5 January 1958 (age 66)
Agogo, Ashanti Region, Ghana
GenresHigh-life
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
Instrument(s)vocal
Years active1973–present

Dan Amakye Dede[1][2] (born 5 January 1958)[3][4] is a Ghanaian musician. He is one of Ghana's premier high-life artists popularly referred to as "Iron Boy", "the high-life maestro" and "Abrantie" (English: Gentleman). Amakye Dede was born in Agogo, Asante Akim.[5] He attended Agogo Roman School. He is best known for classic songs such as: "Jealousy go shame", "Dabi Dabi Ebeye Yie", "Akwadaa Wesoa", and "Iron Boy."

On 2 January 2016, he was involved in an accident that killed his manager and seriously injured his bodyguard.[6]

Amakye Dede was installed as a sub-Chief at Agogo in the Asante Akim traditional area.[7]

Career[edit]

Abrantie Amakye Dede (Iron Boy)
Abrantie Amakye Dede (Iron Boy)

Dede began his career in 1973 when he joined the Kumapim Royals as a composer and a vocalist.[8] 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". 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 high-life scene in the 1980s and 1990s and has continued to have hit songs in the 21st century.[9] He has headlined so many concerts locally and internationally.[10]

He made almost 20 albums. In his later career, he experimented with different genres: soca, calypso, lovers rock and pop music.

He owns a popular bar in Accra called Abrantee Spot, where he and other high-life musicians regularly play live-band music.

His popular songs include "Handkerchief", "Seniwa", "Brebrebe yi", "Mensuro", "Mabre", "Broken Promises", "Nsuo Amuna", "Sokoo na mmaa pe", "Kose kose", "Dabi dabi", "Mefre wo", "Okyena sesei", "Odo nfonii", "Nka akyi", "M'ani agyina", "To be a man na war", and "Iron Boy".[11]

References[edit]

  1. ^ info@ghanabase.com, GhanaBase Music. "Biography of Abrantie Amakye Dede | Ghana Music | Abrantie Amakye Dede of Ghana". ghanabase.com. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  2. ^ "Amakye Dede". BiGx.Com.Gh. Archived from the original on 9 January 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  3. ^ Eric, Eve (24 May 2013). "Do You Know: Today's Feature is Abrantie Daniel Amakye Dede". Do You Know. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  4. ^ "Meet Abrantee Amakye Dede: The Highlife King". ModernGhana.com. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  5. ^ info@ghanabase.com, GhanaBase Music. "Biography of Ofori Amponsah | Ghana Music | Ofori Amponsah of Ghana". ghanabase.com. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  6. ^ Effah, K. "Amakye Dede Involved in Gory Accident". Yen.com.gh – Ghana news. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  7. ^ "Amakye Dede enstooled as chief at Agogo". GhanaWeb. 3 January 2018. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  8. ^ Huey, Steve. "Biography: Amakye Dede and the Apollo Kings International Band". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 April 2010.
  9. ^ "Amakye Dede". Myspace. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  10. ^ Myjoyonline.com (29 August 2016). "Stonebwoy, Amakye Dede, EL, for Ghana Music Week at Indigo O2". Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  11. ^ "Amakye Dede And His Apollo Kings". Discogs. Retrieved 8 January 2017.