Oral history interview with C. K. Mann

C. K. Mann, also known as the King of High Life and Charles Kofi Mann, spoke about where he was born and grew up in Ghana; learning to play guitar; folk musicians in Ghana; places he performed in Ghana, West Africa, and London; forming musical groups, including Carousel 7, and the names of the members of his group; his love of music; recording first record and hearing himself on the radio for the first time; other albums recorded; being exploited multiple times; being crowned in Ghana as the King of High Life in 1988; and his house, nightclub, and children in Ghana. He also explained the meaning of his name. The recording also includes music performed by C. K. Mann followed by an explanation of folktale told in the song. Mann spoke about migrating to Canada and then the United States; where he performed in the United States; how indigenous culture, including music and dress, is disregarded; lack of promotion of Ghana folk music; lack of promotion of culture and arts in English speaking countries; plans to play for the church; American music played on radio in Ghana, but African music not played on radio in US; commonalities across music from various countries; wanting to mix highlife music with salsa music; and how he wants to be remembered. He also spoke about African American musicians having money but not going to West Africa to help West Africans musicians; how top American musicians go to Africa to popularize themselves, and exploit Africans and African culture; his love for Americans; American sympathy as he sees it; violence in the United States; and why Americans go to East Africa. Interview is in English; C. K. Mann's music is not in English. Digital audio files include minimal white noise and static. Interviewee's voice is intelligible for the most part.