Ghana: Berima Amo shares video for Okyena Asem single

The track draws its title from an Akan phrase meaning “No one knows tomorrow.” According to Amo, he wrote the song in the hospital as a form of self-encouragement during his recovery. 

The official visuals for ‘Okyena Asem’ were shot in Accra. It features rich cultural display and vibrant colours that serve as a counterpoint to the sober and introspective nature of the song. 

‘Okyena Asem’ opens with soft piano and trumpet, weaving through rich instrumentation to tell a story of struggle and hope, while Pat Thomas lends brilliant vocals and immense knowledge of highlife, known for seamlessly blending tenor and falsetto. The song was mixed and mastered at Dream Studio in Amsterdam. 

Amo is often credited as a leading figure in the resurgence of the highlife movement alongside artists and bands like Santrofi, Florence Adooni, FRA!, Kyekyeku, Adedeji and The Cavemen.

In 2020, Amo secured an endorsement deal with Austrian trumpet maker Schagerl. A year later, he was named among the recipients of the 2021 Performing Arts Social Fund in the Netherlands.

On 25 August, Amo and Thomas will perform ‘Okyena Asem’ at the Grachtenfestival in Amsterdam.