Ghana: Paapa Versa releases Old Wineskins single

‘Old Wineskins’ is a contemplative and delicate pop number that chews on the compulsory nature of change and evolution. “I wrote the song reflecting on many changes that were happening in my life all at once – some compelled by traumatic events, some by hitting a new age, and others by my own decisions towards actualisation,” Paapa Versa told Music In Africa.

The track’s video, released alongside the new single, was shot in Paapa Versa’s hometown of Aburi. Its direction was helmed by veteran filmmaker Nana Kofi Asihene, who has also worked with the likes of Sarkodie, Mr Eazi and Wizkid.

The ‘Old Wineskins’ video treats the song’s themes on a societal scale, highlighting issues that have bedevilled the country, including corruption, crab mentality and the perennial illegal mining menace known locally as galamsey. Ultimately, the clip conveys a message of hope, arguing that collective change starts with the individual.

“Nana Asihene and I wanted to amplify this meditation to a societal level, highlighting some of the dominant issues our people face, and how they’re really a sum total of the inward issues we all wrestle with,” Paapa Versa said.

Prominent in Ghana’s alternative music scene, Paapa Versa is behind critically received albums including Solar (2011), Songs for Kuukua (2013) and the Technical Difficulties trilogy. The musician also hosts the monthly A Sound Conversation podcast, which explores the music business.