The African music industry has seen the rise of many influential figures over the years, but few have had the enduring impact and cultural significance of Anthony Roberts-Frempong, founder of Asona Records. A man with a deep passion for the musical traditions of Africa, Roberts-Frempong used his label to not only create a platform for African musicians but also to preserve and promote the rich, diverse sounds of the continent. Asona Records, under his visionary leadership, became synonymous with innovation, artistic integrity, and a fierce commitment to African identity and musical heritage.
This blog delves into the life and legacy of Anthony Roberts-Frempong, exploring his contributions to African music, his role in empowering African musicians, and how Asona Records became a beacon of African artistry, fostering the spread of African music globally.
To understand Anthony Roberts-Frempong’s legacy, it is essential to look at his beginnings. Born in Ghana, a country known for its vibrant cultural heritage and deep musical roots, Roberts-Frempong was exposed to music from an early age. In Ghana, music was not just entertainment; it was a medium for storytelling, a way to preserve history, and a means of expressing the collective soul of the people.
Roberts-Frempong grew up during a period when Ghanaian music was experiencing a renaissance. Traditional sounds like highlife and palm-wine music were blending with global influences such as jazz, blues, and reggae. These sounds shaped his worldview, instilling in him a belief that African music deserved not just a local but a global stage.
Driven by a desire to elevate African music, Roberts-Frempong pursued a career in the music industry with the conviction that African voices needed to be heard on a wider scale. His deep appreciation for African music and culture was also shaped by the Pan-African movement and post-colonial consciousness that dominated the political and intellectual climate of the 1960s and 1970s. He recognized music as a powerful tool for cultural diplomacy and identity preservation.
In the early 1980s, Anthony Roberts-Frempong founded Asona Records, a label that would eventually become a central player in the African music scene. Asona Records was not just a commercial enterprise for Roberts-Frempong—it was a labor of love, a platform through which he sought to celebrate African musical traditions while pushing them into the future.
The name Asona itself carries deep significance. Asona is one of the major Akan clans in Ghana, and the clan system plays a crucial role in the cultural identity and social organization of the Akan people. By naming his label Asona Records, Roberts-Frempong was making a statement about his mission: he aimed to preserve African identity and foster a sense of cultural pride through music.
At the time of Asona’s founding, African musicians faced significant challenges. Western music dominated the global market, and African musicians struggled to gain recognition outside their local scenes. Many African artists were exploited by foreign labels that either undervalued their work or failed to promote it effectively. Anthony Roberts-Frempong sought to change that by creating a label that was both owned and operated by Africans, for Africans.
Asona Records was instrumental in shaping the trajectory of African music in the late 20th century. Roberts-Frempong believed that African music had the potential to transcend boundaries and genres, and he encouraged artists to experiment with traditional sounds while embracing new influences. The label became a breeding ground for some of the most exciting fusions of African music with jazz, funk, reggae, and even rock.
Through Asona Records, Roberts-Frempong helped to pioneer the Afrobeat and highlife revival movements. He signed and worked with artists who blended these styles with modern influences, creating music that was both deeply rooted in African traditions and globally appealing.
One of Asona’s most significant contributions was its role in promoting Afrobeat, a genre pioneered by Nigerian legend Fela Kuti that combined elements of traditional West African music with funk, jazz, and political activism. Though Fela Kuti is most often credited with Afrobeat’s creation, Asona Records played a critical role in the genre’s dissemination across the continent and internationally. By signing and supporting artists who were experimenting with this sound, Roberts-Frempong ensured that Afrobeat did not remain confined to Nigeria but spread across Africa, becoming a continental phenomenon.
Similarly, Asona Records played a pivotal role in the highlife revival of the 1980s and 1990s. Highlife, which had its roots in the coastal towns of Ghana, combined traditional African rhythms with Western instruments and harmonies. By the 1970s, highlife was facing competition from newer genres like Afrobeat and reggae. However, Roberts-Frempong, recognizing the cultural and historical importance of highlife, signed artists who revitalized the genre by incorporating contemporary elements. Under his leadership, Asona Records helped bring highlife to a new generation of listeners.
One of the most enduring aspects of Anthony Roberts-Frempong’s legacy is his dedication to empowering African musicians. He saw music as not just a form of entertainment but as a way for African artists to assert their identities, tell their stories, and claim their place on the world stage.
Before the emergence of Asona Records, many African musicians struggled with issues of ownership and artistic control. Foreign labels often took advantage of African artists, offering them unfavorable contracts that left them with little to no royalties or creative control. Roberts-Frempong sought to change this by putting African artists at the center of the business. He worked closely with musicians to ensure they retained ownership of their work and had a say in how it was produced and marketed.
At Asona Records, artists were encouraged to take creative risks. Roberts-Frempong understood that African music was not static; it was constantly evolving, and he believed that artists should have the freedom to experiment with different sounds and styles. This approach led to the creation of music that was innovative yet deeply rooted in African traditions.
Roberts-Frempong’s commitment to empowering musicians went beyond just offering fair contracts. He actively nurtured talent, providing up-and-coming artists with the resources they needed to succeed. Whether it was financial support for recording sessions, mentorship, or helping artists navigate the complexities of the music industry, Roberts-Frempong was there every step of the way.
Through Asona Records, Anthony Roberts-Frempong played a key role in the globalization of African music. He recognized early on that for African music to thrive, it needed to reach audiences beyond the continent. With this vision in mind, Asona Records forged partnerships with international distributors and promoters, helping to bring African music to the attention of global audiences.
The rise of world music in the 1980s and 1990s provided an opportunity for African musicians to reach a broader audience. Asona Records capitalized on this trend by promoting African artists at international music festivals and tours. Artists from the label performed on stages in Europe, the United States, and beyond, exposing global audiences to the richness and diversity of African music.
Roberts-Frempong also understood the importance of technology in the dissemination of music. Under his guidance, Asona Records embraced new forms of media, from cassette tapes in the 1980s to digital platforms in the 2000s. This forward-thinking approach ensured that Asona’s catalog remained accessible to new generations of listeners, both in Africa and around the world.
While Roberts-Frempong was always forward-looking in his approach to music, he never lost sight of the importance of preserving African musical heritage. He saw Asona Records as more than just a commercial enterprise—it was a cultural institution tasked with safeguarding the sounds and stories of Africa for future generations.
Throughout his career, Roberts-Frempong was passionate about archiving and preserving traditional African music. He worked with ethnomusicologists and cultural scholars to record and document music that was at risk of being lost. This included traditional folk songs, ceremonial music, and indigenous rhythms that were being overshadowed by modern, commercial music.
Through these efforts, Asona Records created an invaluable archive of African music, preserving sounds and stories that might otherwise have disappeared. Roberts-Frempong’s commitment to preservation ensured that future generations of Africans would have access to their musical heritage, even as the continent’s musical landscape continued to evolve.
Though Anthony Roberts-Frempong passed away in 2011, his legacy continues to shape the African music industry. Asona Records, under the leadership of his successors, remains a vital player in the African music scene, continuing to support and promote African artists both on the continent and globally.
Today, the label’s influence can be seen in the success of African genres like Afrobeats, which has taken the global music industry by storm. The groundwork laid by Roberts-Frempong—his belief in the power of African music, his dedication to empowering artists, and his commitment to preserving cultural heritage—paved the way for the current generation of African musicians who are making waves on the international stage.
The legacy of Anthony Roberts-Frempong is one of vision, dedication, and an unwavering belief in the power of African music. Through Asona Records, he created a platform that not only nurtured and promoted African musicians but also preserved the continent’s rich musical heritage for future generations.
Roberts-Frempong’s work transcended the commercial realm, positioning music as a form of cultural expression and a tool for African empowerment. His impact is felt not only in the continued success of Asona Records but in the thriving global presence of African music today.
As African music continues to evolve and capture the imagination of listeners around the world, the contributions of pioneers like Anthony Roberts-Frempong serve as a reminder of the importance of preserving and celebrating the continent’s musical legacy. Asona Records stands as a testament to his vision—a vision of African music as a force that can inspire, educate, and unite people across the globe.