Beyond Love and Romance

Abudebi Zonjon
A review of Abudebi Zonjon's 'I've Decided'

Ghanaian artist releases 'I've Decided', a song inspired by a real life event. 

The beauty of any form of music is in its capacity to appeal to the senses so much that it transports a listener to some place, some mood or some state of mind, all of which are reminiscent of the human condition; past, present or to some future: realistic or purely imaginative. What the artist intends to achieve with their music is entirely up to them, and the degree of success of this intention is a measure of the artist’s genius.

What the artist intends to achieve with their music is entirely up to them

It is probable that Abudebi Zonjon set out with the song ‘I’ve Decided’ to transport us to a human condition which we are all too familiar with, especially in this present time; the issue of LOVE. Or better still, love and romance. Love and romance, of course, are the human conditions that have been relived the most in songs for as far back as when humans began to appreciate lyrics in their music. Abudebi’s "I’ve Decided", however, reaches beyond the issue of love and romance, dwelling on emotional insecurity as we know it in this present time when humans are being taken up by the desire to grab and take while giving no thoughts to nurturing and gratitude. I’ve Decided wastes no time in bringing the listener face-to-face with this reality of our world without the least suspicion of being confronted. This is quite ingenious.

I’ve Decided wastes no time in bringing the listener face-to-face with reality ... without the least suspicion of being confronted.

Word has it that Abudebi Zonjon got the inspiration for this song while waiting for his flight from Copenhagen to Accra, and had overheard a conversation between two people; a man and a woman. In light of this, one can only imagine the drama that Abudebi had witnessed and how it must have impacted his mind so much that he made music out of it. Well, this can’t be surprising as art is more or less a springboard against which life and life’s issues bounce off.

Art is more or less a springboard against which life and life’s issues bounce off

It is ingenious what the song offers in lyrics as much as in instrumental accompaniment. In an age of Afrobeat and all of its sub-generic offshoots, this is something fresh out of the West African sub-region. "I’ve Decided" blends Soul, Reggae, and Blues and delivers it in a most appealing way. This is the kind of music that is best served on a stage; something to look out for.

This is something fresh out of the West African sub-region.

Worthy of mention is the perfection with which the song flows along in its dynamics. The lead and backup vocals are as much as musical as the instrumental assortment played and arranged with finesse and in a most complementing way.

This is one song that comes highly recommended. We may be hearing of Abubedi Zonjon for the first time, yet he has proven with I’ve Decided that he’s one to look out for.