The Compozers band deserves flowers

In the midst of the blabbering and confusion that has engulfed the industry in the last couple of days as a result of Nigerian artiste, Asake filling the O2 Arena in the UK, Ghanaians have failed to realise, recognise and celebrate one of their own who have been in the picture all this while.

Ghanaians have almost become intoxicated with Nigerian musicians selling out arenas and stadia to the point where we have blatantly failed to shine the light on a group of guys who have become a livewire to all these live performances across the world, headlined by these hardworking Nigerians.

The Compozers band have provided that essential lift to almost all these artistes who have mounted all these high profile platforms to sell their craft and genre including the likes of Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Sarkodie, Wizkid, Davido, JHus, Ed Sheeran, Asake and a plethora of others.

Yes, They Are Ghanaians

After the stellar showing of Asake at the O2, The Compozers came up for mention with some people prodding if indeed they are Ghanaians. Yes, they are Ghanaians!

The band comprise Charles “Biggz” Mensah-Bonsu and David “Melodee” Ohene-Akrasi (keyboards), Nana “Pokes” Ntorinkansa (bass guitar) and Steven Asamoah-Duah (drums).

With the popularity and dominance of Afrobeats, many have the thought that the band just sprung up. No, they have been here for almost two decades, formed in 2008 and interestingly, almost all the members had their nurturing from the church.

Albeit having their formative and groundbreaking years in the UK, the members never shy away from the fact that they are from Ghana.

‘Life’ of the ‘Beats’

In March this year, Asake turned heads with such an electrifying performance on Jimmy Fallon’s The Tonight Show – considering the fact that, not many believed in his vocal prowess. That performance paved the way for greater things and not much accolades were given to the engineers behind that epic showing—The Compozers.

The fact is; the band has made every artiste sound and look good, very good on stage!

It came as no surprise that many concertgoers were quite amazed at the live performance of Asake at the O2, and it was all because the band offered such an impressive backing that almost felt as though one was listening to the sound recordings on the stereo.

The Compozers have supported all the frontrunners of the now popular Afrobeats genre across the world and there’s not been one complaint over their delivery, none – an attestation of how exceptional they are and have been through the years.

As a rapper and also a pioneer of the Afrobeats sound, Sarkodie has one of the most exemplary stagecraft across Africa but his set with The Compozers has always been a sight to behold.

It is understandable that most often than not, it is the artistes that take all the accolades for all these sold out concerts and outstanding live performances with the band hardly getting any love – but the implicit truth is that, The Compozers made it all look easy and fluid.

The rise and validation of African artistes offering memorable live performances across the globe cannot be emphasised without the critical mention of The Compozers.

Paid Their Dues

They may be relatively popular for the support they offer these artistes but The Compozers are musicians in their own right.

They have their own songs, serve as music producers and consultants and hold their annual event, A Night With The Compozers, which was first produced in 2013. Over the years, the audience to that annual event has grown bountifully – an ode to their dynamism, distinction and relevance.

The group has virtually toured the whole of the Americas and Europe and graced some of the high profile music festivals in the world.

Since their emergence in 2008, the band has been enterprising, uplifting their craft, brand and hoisting the flag of their homeland. Their names are etched as some of the anchors of African music, having purveyed the craft in such a classic manner all these years.

Obviously, the Nigerians are winning with the recognition of Afrobeats – attaining outrageous streaming numbers, offering sold out concerts, garnering awards and striking lucrative deals – giving their country folks something to bask in.

The Compozers may arguably not be at the forefront but they have been the engine to all these critically-acclaimed sold out concerts and must also be celebrated by their country folks – us!

Give them their flowers.