Ghanaian singer, songwriter, and performer Jah Lead is back with a brand-new project that speaks from the heart and moves the feet. His latest EP, Guilt of Music (101), is a fusion of dancehall, reggae, and afro-inspired rhythms, a celebration of freedom, self-awareness, and musical growth.
For Jah Lead, the title Guilt of Music carries deep personal meaning. “It stems from the fact that I feel I have more to give as an artist,” he explains. “At the early stages of my career, I held back because I cared too much about people’s opinions and feelings. I could have done more music for myself. Now that I’m more conscious of who I am, I want to correct that guilt of hoarding my expressions, that’s why I named the EP Guilt of Music 101.”
The five-track EP is designed to make listeners dance while still connecting with the lyrics. “I’d say it’s a dance EP,” Jah Lead says. “The genre is predominantly dancehall. The intent is to get the audience moving while enjoying the words. The EP has a carnival feel, it’s made for crowd happiness.” Songs like “Have Fun” and “Dutty Wine” bring that energy to life, while the closing track, Ride With You, stands out as a deeply personal reflection. “It’s a song from real life experiences,” he shares. “There’s always a need to document what life brings.”
Jah Lead’s ability to blend rhythm and emotion comes from a lifetime of living with music. Growing up in Anomabo, a coastal town in Ghana, music was everywhere. “My dad used to play a lot of loud music at home and take us to the beach often. I loved how people celebrated festivals with sound and dance. That shaped how I see music, it’s joy, it’s community,” he says.
That foundation grew even stronger when Jah Lead began his professional journey at Globe Wave Studio before joining Samini’s HighGrade Family, where he worked alongside greats like Stonebwoy, Kofi Kinaata, and Brainy Beatz. “I came into the industry having fun with music but with little knowledge of the business side,” he admits. “I had to learn that from artists like Samini, Kofi Kinaata, and Ofori Amponsah. That changed everything for me.”
Since his breakout single Lonely, which earned him major recognition and award nominations, Jah Lead has only deepened his craft. His 2021 EP Love Is Coming explored love in his native Twi language, and now with Guilt of Music (101), he’s showing a new side, confident, expressive, and unapologetically free.
Balancing his dual life as a police officer and musician, Jah Lead approaches both careers with discipline and purpose. “It’s quite complex, but I’ve always managed both because I value them equally. I treat them as work that must be done. Sometimes there’s a conflict of interest, but I manage my time purposefully, when to be on duty and when to be in the studio. Thanks to Jah for that balance,” he says with a smile.
Musically, Jah Lead draws inspiration from timeless voices like Bob Marley, Kojo Antwi, and Wayne Wonder, and his perspective on artistry reflects that depth. “I don’t see them as old school,” he says. “Great music always works with people over a long time. I want to be a consistent, conscious creative, not a one-time hitmaker.”
Ultimately, Guilt of Music (101) is more than a collection of songs, it’s a statement of rebirth. “I believe music is my gateway to say whatever I want to say,” he explains. “For a long time, I allowed other people’s opinions to cage my self-expression. Now, I’ve chosen to do me. I hope to elevate the conscience of my audience and give them the variety they’ve been missing in Ghanaian music and beyond.”
And this is only the beginning. Jah Lead is already in the studio preparing his maiden album, with new collaborations on the way, including one with J Derobie. “More great music is coming from Jah Lead,” he promises. “Up to the fullest.”
