The release of his first album ‘Highlife Romance’ in 1979 set the pace for more classic records. With over 15 albums to his credit, Nana Tuffour melted hearts with his love songs, consoled the bereaved with dirges, encouraged the weak with his inspirational compositions, entertained many with his unapparelled masterpieces and treated patrons of his shows to eclectic performances.
His immense contribution to the Ghana music industry is evident in the tributes poured out in his honour after news of his death went viral.
The messages, spanning shock, grieve, memories, and celebration of life have placed the musician who had great vocals and unique lyrics first on Ghana trends.
66-year-old James Nana Tuffour is said to have departed to eternity in the early hours of Monday, June 15 after a short illness.
His body has been deposited at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Mortuary.
Below are five of his numerous hit songs.
1. Abeiku
Released in 2010, ‘Abeiku’ told the story of a father whose desire to make love to his wife was constantly thwarted by his stepchild. Any time his sexual desire reaches a crescendo, his stepchild ‘Abeiku’ interrupts the process of lovemaking, leaving him to wonder what could be his motivation.
2. Me Yere Dada
Nana Tuffour released ‘Me Yere Dada’ in 1991. The song which was on his ‘Hilife – Storm’ album was released under Black ‘M’ Sounds label. It told the story of a man who appeared to have regretted going in for another woman as a wife. Based on the treatment the new woman meted out to him, he craved the return of the former wife. ‘Me Yere Dada’ is a Twi phrase translated as ‘my former wife’.
3. Adeepena
‘Adeepena’ touted the qualities of a woman he is proud to call a wife. He expressed that apart from the upbringing of the woman which had shaped her, the level of affection she demonstrated made her unique - one in a million.
4. Aketekyiwa
‘Aketekyiwa’ was a slow-tempo song. Nana Tuffour assumed the character of an outcast. The emotional piece touched on how a man had been rejected by his family on the basis of not being wealthy. He lamented how he was constantly ignored during family meetings because of his appalling financial status.
5. Atenga
Ever given your wife something to appease her? That’s what the song was about but there was more! Even after accepting the compensation, the wife decided to not allow the husband to make love to her and that posture will not be welcomed by a horny husband.
Nana Tuffour was 66 years old