Committed to celebrating longevity and preserving the golden sounds of Ghanaian music, the station used this year’s Adom Strictly Highlife to honour icons who have kept the genre alive over the decades.

In a special citation segment, three highlife legends were recognised for their outstanding contributions to entertaining fans and promoting the genre.

Akosua Agyapong, whose voice and music have defined generations, was celebrated for her unmatched impact on Ghanaian highlife. Her enduring hits and inspiring career have made her a pillar of the genre, and the citation reflected her lasting influence on both fans and fellow musicians.

Adane Best, recognised for keeping highlife fresh and vibrant over the years, also received a citation. His timeless songs and dynamic performances continue to captivate audiences, highlighting his role in preserving Ghana’s musical heritage.

Completing the honours was the legendary Samuel Owusu, appearing for the second time at Adom Strictly Highlife. Known for blending the nostalgia of 90s highlife with contemporary energy, he was cited for his dedication to the genre and his ability to connect with fans across generations.

Through these honours, Adom FM reinforced its commitment to sustaining highlife and recognising the artists who make Ghanaian music unforgettable. The station continues to lead in celebrating legends, inspiring emerging talent, and ensuring that highlife remains a vibrant part of Ghana’s cultural identity.

Unlike the instant frenzy that greeted some performers, Adane Best’s moment unfolded gradually.

As his band eased into the opening notes, the hall settled into a rhythm of nostalgia and spontaneous sing-alongs.

Within moments, voices joined in, phones went up, and the atmosphere transformed into a shared celebration of highlife’s enduring soul.

His set was measured but powerful yet a calm confidence that resonated deeply with patrons.

Midway through the night, the Multimedia Group’s Adom FM honoured Adane Best with a citation in recognition of his contribution to highlife music and his role in sustaining the genre across generations.

The acknowledgement was met with sustained applause, reflecting the deep appreciation many in the auditorium hold for his journey and impact.

Watch video below:

To the ‘Ayitey’ hitmaker, after music group Wolumei became inactive, he has been very instrumental and till date his songs are still relevant.

According to Adane Best, it takes a talented musician to be this impactful and the Gas don’t joke with him because of the role he has played.

“I can proudly say that I made the Ga language popular through my music. Most of my songs are rendered in Ga and everybody loves it. There is no major Ga activity that I have not been booked to perform at. In fact, the Gas cherish me like gold and I don’t take that for granted”, he told the Graphic Showbiz in an interview recently.

Although his parents are not Gas, Adane Best said he grew up with his grandfather who was living in Adedenkpo near Palladium in Accra.

He explained that, he spent most of his life with his grandfather and had no choice but to learn the Ga language.

Although Adane Best says the Gas cherish him a lot, he thinks it is not enough as a solo musician who has done this for 30 years and still active.

“I have been busy for the past years playing shows all over the world. The reason Nigerians are always ahead of us is because they cherish and acknowledge their veteran musicians. 2 Face, P- Squares are highly respected by their musicians and the entire country. Here in Ghana, it’s about who has the biggest song at the moment and no one regards you if you don’t have that trending song. They easily forget the contribution you have made with your songs in the past,” he said.

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In a recent interview with Graphic Showbiz, the highlife icon said he was moved to feature Black Sherif after the reigning VGMA Artiste of the Year sang Ayitey on stage when he received the topmost VGMA Artiste of the Year award earlier in May this year.

 “Black Sherif will do well on the Ayitey remix. After winning VGMA Artiste of the Year, he performed Ayitey and I saw it trending everywhere. I have reached out to him but I guess he is busy at the moment. But at the right time, we will hit the studio and make it happen,” he revealed.

Adane Best is known for songs such as Gyata Bi, Mafio, Dromo, Bie Shoo, Yoo, Dompe, Tie Memu Nsem, Suumo, Femo Dil, Abusun and Rabbi among others.

He told Graphic Showbiz that he is planning a big concert next year to mark 32 years in the music industry: “32 years in the music is no joke and I plan doing it big. I am already in touch with some of my colleagues to join me on stage when I finally announce the date and the feedback is encouraging,” he said.

Adane Best is also coming out with an album next year. “Next year, I am dropping a complete album for my fans who keep asking me when I am releasing a song. The album is for all those who miss my songs. So, relax and enjoy when it is finally out,” he said.

With over 32 years in the industry, Adane Best stands as a testament to the enduring power of timeless melodies, and his legacy is the embodiment of an illustrious collection of timeless compositions that reverberate with audiences, leading him to be in high demand for live performances within Ghana and even beyond her borders.

The veteran speaks confidently about his financial stability, rendering a potential new hit song a welcomed addition rather than a necessity for survival. This situation is unlike the pressure many of his peers feel to produce constant hit songs for survival.

 “I believe I have paid my dues as one of the best Highlife musicians with incredible songs. All my songs are timeless, and the reason I am always getting gigs in Ghana and beyond. Now it has become a norm to have a hit song to be able to perform at certain events but things are different with me.

“In fact, I am busy most of the time performing at one place or the other and that is because of my evergreen songs,” he said in an interview with the Graphic Showbiz.

According to Adane Best, all a musician needs is a timeless song and you are sorted for the rest of your life. Such a musician will eat from his sweat.

“Now songs don’t last for more than five months and it’s a shame this is happening to us. Ayitey is over 30 years but anytime I perform it, the young and old dance to it as though it is a fresh song. Young musicians should learn from us how timeless songs are made, and some of us are willing to teach them,” he said.

The ‘Mafio’ hitmaker, known for his experience in the industry spanning over three decades, highlighted the “diminishing hype” surrounding Kuami Eugene and emphasized the need for support to help him regain his prominence.

Speaking in an interview on Asempa FM‘s Showbiz Review with Kweku Adu Kumi, he pointed out that Kuami Eugene’s career seemed to be sinking, primarily due to his persistence in sticking to the same formula he used during his early years.

The music legend further elaborated that the fading hype around Eugene’s persona is a result of his continued reliance on familiar patterns and approaches.

According to Best, in order to revitalize his career, the Cryptocurrency hitmaker needs to explore new creative avenues, experiment with different musical styles, and adapt to the changing tastes of his audience.

“Kuami Eugene’s hype has gone down. But for him to rise back up he needs people to support him. He keeps doing what he did when he was young. Doing the same thing means he will have the same results. Though he is talented, the surrounding hype is dying.”

Meanwhile, Adane Best clarified that he does not believe the artist has completely dropped off the radar. However, when comparing his current standing to the time of his initial breakthrough, the inconsistency is evident.

Best emphasized that it is crucial to provide honest feedback to those we care about, and expressed his confidence that Eugene has the potential to overcome this challenging phase.

“I am not saying he has dropped completely… but if you compare him to when he came out, it is not the same. I have been in the game for 31 years now, so I know what I am saying. If you love someone, you have to tell them the truth and I know he can get out of that,” he said.

Kuami Eugene has not yet responded publicly to Adane Best’s remarks. However, his fans and industry insiders eagerly await his next moves, hoping to witness a resurgence that will reaffirm the excitement surrounding his musical journey.

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Receiving his enviable award on the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA), Blacko, as he is otherwise known, gave a shout out to veteran artiste Adane Best by singing a verse of his decade-old Maafio song.

The reason, he said in an interview on TV3 monitored by Adomonline.com, is that the song carries a message of hope that his predictions pertaining to the music industry and awards are coming to pass.

He further explained that he idolises Adane Best since he grew up loving his songs kind courtesy his mother who is a die-hard fan of Adane.

“Singing Adane Best’ song on stage is like a culture. I love him soo much. The love did not start today or five years ago, we love him from home. My mother loves him so much. I have even recorded a song for him.”

While he was still in the business of singing praises to Adane’s name, the veteran artiste surprised him by calling in on the show to express his heartfelt gratitude.

Blacko was left speechless and in disbelief as he listened attentively to the words of blessings his idol proclaimed into his life.

Adane Best thanked Blacko for reminding the world of his legacy and for showcasing his love for him publicly on such a grand stage.

The two hinted of a possible collaboration in the coming days.

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The artiste, who made contemporary music attractive in Ghana, will mark his 31st year in the industry in an unconventional way.

After taking a break to give new crop of artistes an opportunity to shine, Adane is back to prove why he was, still is and will forever be the best.

In an interview on Okay FM, he revealed come April his voice and lyrics will shake the airwaves once again.

He only mentioned that the song will be a blend of Twi and Ga, touching on real life experiences, and left the rest to the imagination of his fans.

The release will be followed by a star-studded concert to be hosted in the hearts of Accra, Bukom to be specific, where he was born and bred.

List of A-listed artistes, particularly those dominating the Ga language would share the mega stage with Adane.

On how he has managed to be relevant all these years, he listed grace and humility as the major factors.

Since his emergence in 1982, Adane Best has seven studio albums of which all his songs are bangers.

Se Wu Bre released in 1994, Wa nu Pe Asem, 1996, Rabbi, 1999, Maafio, Soja Go Soja Come, 2002, Ayekoo, 2004 and his latest Mamamia.

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The aftermath of the clash is members of the ruling political party pointing fingers at the Member of Parliament (MP), Nii Lante Vanderpuye and his team for their alleged involvement.

But, Adane Best is of a different opinion, insisting neither the incumbent MP nor parliamentary candidate for the New Patriotic Party, Nii Lante Bannerman, had wished for such turnout of events.

Speaking on Accra-based Okay FM, he said both candidates do not need innocent blood shed to ascend the seat of the house of legislation.

“This is not a joking matter; it is very worrying and disturbing. Bannerman and Nii Lante Vanderpuye will never want someone to die before they come to power. They should look for a way to safeguard Bukom and Ghana as a whole,” he said.

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He advised that the energies should be channeled into finding the cause and possible solution to the election-based violence rather than enjoy the blame game.

Irrespective of political affiliations, he reiterated, supporters must remember they are one, and that unity is what the country needs for development.