AB Crentsil reported dead… his life, works and the Moses saga!
One cannot refer to highlife without mentioning the legendary AB Crentsil. As news of his passing grips the industry and country, we remember fond memories of the great performer, including his controversial song, Moses.
Alfred Benjamin Crentsil, known as A.B. Crentsil, is reported to have died on Wednesday, 13 July 2022, at age 79.
This sad news was announced on Facebook by sound engineer Fred Kyei Mensah.
As Ghanaians commiserate with their family, one cannot help but look back at the impact AB Crentsil made on the music industry and the highlife genre. Especially his song, Moses, which caused such an uproar after its release that is purported to have been banned by ex-president JJ Rawlings.
For the new school music lovers, now is the time to listen to erotic wordplay mixed with humour and a delicate accompaniment of local sounds.
And what is Moses about? Just like the Biblical Moses, who led the Israelites out of captivity into the land of freedom, the Moses in AB Crentsil’s song led his subject into a mind-blowing orgasm!
AB Crentsil has this to say about the song and the scandal it caused.
“The way I composed the song, it wasn’t meant to tarnish anybody’s image. I composed the song just to entertain people. The ban on the song, I didn’t see or hear anyone or institution stating so, but it was the radio stations that decided not to play the song.”
AB Crentsil, the highlife icon, was born in Prestea. He attended Takoradi Methodist Primary and Rev Cleveland Middle School for his primary and middle school education, respectively. After middle school, AB worked as an electrical apprentice under his father, the Works Superintendent of the technical branch of Ghana Railways at Takoradi.
In middle school, AB Crentsil became proficient in the guitar and started singing along when playing it. Soon after, he was simultaneously working as an electrician and playing with the Strollers Band owned by one Kwesi Donkor.
Crentsil has played with the El Dorados, the Sweet Talks – which latter group in the 1970s under the joint leadership of Crentsil and Smart Nkansah. They were also the resident band at The Talk Of The Town Hotel in Tema, with Crentsil as a lead singer. Finally, the making of the Ahenfo Band.
Rest In Peace, AB Crentsil. Ghana music will forever remember your works!
