By: Henrietta Afful
Legendary Ghanaian Highlife Musician, Alfred Benjamin Crentsil popularly known in the music circle as A.B. Crentsil, has died at age 79.
Sound Engineer Fred Kyei Mensah confirmed this on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, in a Facebook post.
Announcing the news of the death of the Highlife legend, Fred Kyei wrote “The original composer and singer of the famous and controversial songs, ‘Moses and Atia’, AB Crenstil, has died!”
“He had a stint with a lot of bands before joining the Sweet Talks Band with Smart Nkansah and then his own band, Ahenfo. His hit songs, ‘Juliana and Obi ba wiase’, cannot be forgotten. More details soon. Rest well” he said.
Born in 1943 in Prestea in the Western Region, A.B. Crentsil has won numerous Ghanaian music awards, including the Fontomfrom Evergreen Award, a special honor bestowed upon a musician with 15–20 years of continuous music experience.
He was one of the “big three” of contemporary Ghanaian vocalists.
“Ghana has lost”
News of his death was also confirmed on the Breakfast Show on GTV this morning.
Paying glowing tribute to the music icon, host of the Entertainment segment on the Breakfast Show – ‘The Yellow Couch’, Valerie Danso said “The man is a legend…Ghana has lost.”
My father was very committed to his work and family
Son of late highlife Musician, A.B. Centsil who is also called Alfred Benjamin Kweku Centsil says his father was very committed to his work and family.
He said he remembers his father mostly for being there during his last birthday in May, this year and would have bonded with him more if the late musician had not been hospitalised shortly after the birthday celebrations
Songs
One of his greatest and most popular songs in his music career was “Anyen” which is a Fante word for “Witchcraft”.