When I heard a new song on radio being attributed to the legendary Elder Mireku, I listened with glee and wondered how a living legend like Elder Mireku could still be churning out soul-inspiring worship hit songs. The man has been singing for so long as most of his peers have either retired or lost interest and he still counts as one of the most popular Ghanaian artistes ever. Everybody knows Elder Mireku and his songs, and it is interesting to note that his songs are so easy to flow with and to sing along.
In the gospel arena, if there is any personality that deserves a lifetime award in any award show, the only name that ricochets in my mind is Elder Mireku. I write with much pride and excitement that I have been listening to Elder Mireku’s songs since childhood by virtue of the fact that my Dad is a Church Of Pentecost Elder who copped every album of Elder Mireku (Big up to you, Elder Asamoah-Baidoo).
Elder Mireku is a role model for many people, some who have followed his trail and produced hit songs and sold millions of records and the numerous others who are aiming and yearning to be like him. As an artiste, the man is so humble and has a calm demeanor and has indeed endeared himself to the hearts of Ghanaians. Even as a child, his songs were spell-binding that I would stop in the middle of whatever I was doing to listen to him.
I don’t know when he first released an album but I am privy to the fact that the man has produced over 40 albums and not just albums but hit albums. One interesting bit about Elder Mireku and his albums is that he calls his albums ‘volumes’ and presently he is somewhere in the 43rd or 44th volume. Incredible! And he’s still going strong. Although, he has sold many copies, climbed the music charts and received rave reviews for his albums, he has unfortunately not won any award, at least not to my knowledge.
If Elder Mireku were to be any ordinary artiste, his popularity would have dwindled so much he would be mulling retirement from music because his style of singing has been the most-copied. On a lighter side, he deserves another lifetime award as the musician whose style has been most- copied by other musicians.
Elder Mireku’s style of singing has been hijacked so much so that, I feared he won’t command any style of his own for his subsequent albums. Apart from the Kwaku Gyasi and the Frank asomadas who have produced hit songs by blatantly copying his style, there are many others we hear on radio and see on television doing the trademark ‘Wobom’, ‘Glory’ ‘Wobom’. Everybody is now doing the ‘wobom’ it doesn’t feel original anymore. This goes to show what an inspiration Elder Mireku has been to all these copycats. Listening to his new song, I realized that he still sounded authentic, original and fresh and it is very distinct from all the others. It gives much credence to the saying that nothing beats the original and nothing will beat a true Elder Mireku sound, nothing.
It irks me so much when most of these copycats don’t give credit to Elder Mireku whenever they get the opportunity and we don’t care if they give the noble man credit or not because we all know they don’t have originality.
After years of singing and producing tunes, the man still looks young and exudes so much energy anytime he performs which is an attestation that the man takes good care of himself, unlike many musicians. I have had the opportunity of watching him perform live and the anointing that permeates through the auditorium is inexplicable – people cry, kneel, squat and lie down in worshipping God, with Elder Mireku’s songs as conduit.
Elder Mireku is truly a living legend, a man who has produced many soul-inspiring songs, been an inspiration for many, and motivates many. He has indeed blazed the trail for many people and he deserves all the plaudits. If man won’t award him, I know God rewards him everyday and he has been a blessing to gospel music and Ghana music. As for me, I won’t wait till he dies (although he’s not dying now) before I pen a tribute, so I award him Straight Talk Lifetime Achievement Award.
