It is becoming increasingly necessary to address the uprising collaboration between Western culture and particularly West African culture in music, as the topic of cultural appropriation versus cultural appreciation is so prominent, in my opinion. The music video epitomizes the concept of cultural appreciation as Ed Sheeran was committed to speaking every single word in Ghana’s primary language, Twi, as well as indulge in the several aspects of the culture, such as traditional dance, sipping fresh coconut water and playing the talking drums.

Furthermore, all three artists, Sheeran, Fuse, and Mugeez, can be seen entertaining the children of local neighborhoods and school students. These acts complement the overarching theme of the song, “Boa Me,” translating to “help me” or the concept of helping your neighbors.

In the process of creating this song, Fuse explains that he and his team were in the process of building a school in Ghana to properly internalize the impact they could make. The song illustrates how collaboration can make a lasting impact is powerful.

On a musical level too, the trio was able to add to the increasing popularity of Afrobeats and, more so highlife, as a music genre into mainstream media.