• About Us
  • Privacy Policy
Sunday, May 29, 2022
Citi Sports Online
  • Home
  • News
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Local Football
  • Ghana Premier League
  • Livescores
  • Sports Panorama
  • Videos
  • AFCON 2021
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Local Football
  • Ghana Premier League
  • Livescores
  • Sports Panorama
  • Videos
  • AFCON 2021
No Result
View All Result
Citi Sports Online
No Result
View All Result

Abedi Pele: When libretto meets football mystic

Citi Sports' Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo delves into how music has immortalized Ghana's greatest footballer

Fentuo Tahiru by Fentuo Tahiru
May 26, 2020
Reading Time: 4 mins read
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via Whatsapp

Music.

Quite simply one of the most explosive expressions of emotion and affection, music also immortalizes.

Throughout history, music has always had an intertwining relationship with sporting icons.

Whether it is Nas claiming kinship with heavyweight great Mike Tyson in “Nas is Like”; (“Nas is like Iron Mike, messiah type/Before the Christ, after the death, the last one left”); or LL Cool J comparing his lyrical dexterity to a Muhammad Ali punch; (“Just like Muhammad Ali, they called him Cassius/Watch me bash this beat like a skull”); music has always been analogous to the magical artistry of the greatest sporting heroes.

The legendary Asante Kotoko song, “Asante Kotoko yɛbɛ hyɛ” by Pat Thomas, is glaring specimen of how music makes nonsense of life’s ephemerality by creating interminable beings.

In the song, some of the club’s greatest heroes; Robert Mensah, Osei Kofi, Ibrahim Sunday among others, all received glowing lyrical tributes that have solidified their place in the Porcupine family, so much that if history ever forgets, the song would serve a telling reminder.

In Ghana, no other sporting icon has had as huge an influence in music as the great Abedi Ayew “Pele”.

In my research for this article, I discovered that a vast majority of artistes who have featured the “maestro” in their works are rappers. While that may seem surprising at first, a deeper reflection would reveal an antithetical emotion.

No other genre of music is more akin to the quick-fire magical artistry of the 55 year old’s footballing abilities than rap. Whether it’s weaving words together or weaving through a tight space full of loathing defenders, MCs and football wizardry have common roots of inspiration.

19 Jan 1996: Ghana’s Abedi Pele chases the ball during Ghana’s 2-1 victory today at Port Elizabeth in the First round of the African Cup of Nations. Mandatory Credit: Gary M. Prior/ALLSPORT

Kofi Mole’s song titled “Abedi Pele” is a conspicuous demonstration of the connection between a rapper’s librettos and a footballer’s mystic.

The refrain serves up a delightful double entendre, where Mole’s braggadocio aligns with Abedi Pele’s undeniable status in the game.  (“Abedi Pele/I’ve been ballin so long I’m a legend/I’ve been making more shots I’ve been kickin/In Africa I be the champion no long talk get it.”).

Mole’s first verse depicts a traverse of Maestro’s career and highlights the global impact of Abedi while mirroring the rapper’s own knack in the process. (“From Ghana to France we scatter…/Got number 10 for my back/I never dey miss chance and I never dey slack/Put my country on the map/M’ama ɔmo kɛchɛ bɛhwɛ my opponent dey clap”).

In Kojo Cue’s “Wo Nsa bɛ ka”, the rapper name dropped the Maestro as a relic of defiance (“Reserve players bɛ nya na yɛ agyae bɔ/But Abedi Pele, uh, we be shege, uh/On any day we go try ball”).

Of course, there are times when the former Ghana captain’s name has popped up in lyrics that metaphorically transcend the subject of football and tickles our fancy in other realms.

When R2bees referenced Abedi in their song “Killing me softly”, it was a stretch of our imagination to a similarly important sphere of life – sex. (“When I dey come I no dey chele/I kick it ina you Abedi Pele”).

Stonebwoy brags about his libidinous clouts by comparing them to Abedi’s strikes in the song “Mightylele”. (“Thing set ready me afi strike it/Like Abedi Pele le in the 90s”)

It is rather ironic that it took until Abedi’s retirement for artistes to begin to immortalize the three-time African Footballer of the Year, but considering it is rap music that has largely done this, it is not exactly shocking.

Rap music was not a big deal in the early 90s, which contained the supreme period of Abedi’s career. Ghana rap pioneer, Reggie Rockstone, did drop Abedi’s name in the 1998 classic “Plan B3n”. (“Mɛ hyɛ goal wɔ woakoma mu goalposts, Abedi Pele”). While that did not convey a much deeper semantic, it was still testament to Abedi’s influence beyond the pitch.

In Shatta Wale’s “Shame on You”, he elevates Abedi’s hegemony when he raps “I no be Abedi Pele, but I go fit play this ball”, ultimately recognizing that to play ball is to be Abedi Pele.

The 1993 champions league winner’s musical influence extends beyond the precincts of Ghana.

French rapper Ol Kainry, in his 2007 single aptly titled “En mode nostalgie”, listed the Ghana legend among a list of illustrious sporting icons that gave him nostalgia when he said;

“J’te parle de Mike Powell, Carl Lewis, Baggio, Abedi Pele, George Weah
On a vécu les meilleurs moments du sport ché-la
J’pourrais jamais oublier le coups de pied sauté de Cantona
Toto Schillaci, la main de Maradona”

Abedi Pele is already recognized as the greatest Ghanaian footballer of all time and remnants of his legend remain everywhere we look – from catchy commercials (remember Parlays Biscuit?) to old video clips of him tearing defenses apart, but it is through music, that his immortality is cemented.

When American artist Jean Michel Basquait said, “Art is how we decorate space, music is how we decorate time”, this is what he meant; Abedi’s time on the football field, fully decked in lyrical allusions.

If there was ever any doubt about his otherworldliness, these artistes have ensured the Maestro will live forever.

As the saying goes, “if an artist falls in love with you, you can never die.”

Full “Abedi Pele” Playlist:

Other songs include;

Reggie Rockstone – Plan ben

Kojo Cue – Wonsa beka

Share42TweetSend
Previous Post

“Andre Ayew is a natural leader”- Stephen Appiah gives verdict on Black Stars captain

Next Post

See Samuel Inkoom’s brilliant improvised home workout [VIDEO]

Related Posts

Football

Real Madrid claim 14th UCL title with 1-0 win over Liverpool

May 28, 2022
News

WPL: Ampem Darkoa beat Hasaacas Ladies to win title

May 28, 2022
Black Stars

“Humiliated and discriminated against”: Alfred Duncan retires from Black Stars

May 28, 2022
Black Stars

AFCON 2023Q: Andre Ayew, Wakaso and others arrive in Black Stars camp

May 28, 2022
Black Stars

AFCON 2023Q: Otto Addo arrives in Ghana ahead of Madagascar and CAR games

May 28, 2022
Football

“If I speak…”: Five times Jose Mourinho let his hands do the talking

May 28, 2022
AFCON

Black Stars captain Andre Ayew calls on Prez Akufo-Addo; presents him with jersey

May 27, 2022
Football

AFCON 2023Q: Franck Etouga dropped from Cameroon’s final squad

May 27, 2022
Load More
Next Post

See Samuel Inkoom's brilliant improvised home workout [VIDEO]

Top Stories

Asamoah Gyan writes on Castro; visiting a shrine in search of his friend

See Felix Afena-Gyan’s celebratory dance with Tammy Abraham after Roma win UECL [VIDEO]

LeGyandary: Asamoah Gyan’s book launch in pictures

Asamoah Gyan launches book ‘LeGyandary’

RSS Citi Podcasts

  • Eyewitness News, Thursday, 26th May, 2022 May 26, 2022 Citi 97.3 FM
  • Eyewitness News, Tuesday, 24th May, 2022 May 24, 2022 Citi 97.3 FM
  • Sports Panorama: Friday, 20th May, 2022 May 21, 2022 Citi 97.3 FM
  • Sports Panorama: Friday, 13th May, 2022 May 13, 2022 Citi 97.3 FM
  • 'Ghana at a crossroads': John Dramani Mahama's full speech May 2, 2022 Citi 97.3 FM
  • Citi Trends: The snoocode Liberia story April 27, 2022 Citi 97.3 FM
  • Bernard Avle grills Mireku Duker on Ghana's galamsey fight April 27, 2022 Citi 97.3 FM
  • Citi Business Edition: Founder of Witama Limited Alberta Afriyie Mensah talks agribusiness in Ghana April 22, 2022 Citi 97.3 FM
  • Auto Show: Vehicle occupants safety April 21, 2022 Citi 97.3 FM
  • Auto Show: Motorcycle safety April 21, 2022 Citi 97.3 FM
Citi Sports Online

© 2019 Citi Sports Online

  • Home
  • News
  • Football
  • Ghana Premier League
  • Livescores
  • Sports Panorama
  • Videos
  • AFCON 2021

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Local Football
  • Ghana Premier League
  • Livescores
  • Sports Panorama
  • Videos
  • AFCON 2021

© 2019 Citi Sports Online

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
Citi Sports Cookie Policy
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT