Gilbert Otoo
Ghanaian musician Gilbert Otoo, popularly known by his stage name Gilly & The Stars, is steadily carving his place among the finest voices in contemporary highlife music. Blending Ghana’s traditional rhythms with modern influences, Gilly continues to showcase the timeless beauty of highlife while giving it a refreshing global appeal.
Renowned for his lyrical fluency in both English and Ga, Gilly’s songwriting bridges culture and creativity. Most of his compositions are in the Ga language, reflecting his pride in heritage and his commitment to bringing Ga culture to the global stage.
Gilly’s latest highlife release, “Ye Oshia Sane (Dzi Wofie Asem),” comes with vibrant visuals soon to hit television screens.
The song carries a powerful social message — urging listeners to mind their own business and respect the choices of others. The video is available on YouTube.
Other popular tracks such as “My Dear Adjeley,” “CHRISTIE,” and “Ekomefeemor” have earned him loyal fans both at home and abroad, igniting dance floors with their energetic, soulful highlife rhythms. “Highlife is Ghana’s gift to the world, and I want my Ga roots to shine through it globally,” Gilly said.
Gilly first gained recognition with his 2010 album “Fighting My Way Back,” a versatile project that blended Highlife, Hiplife, Reggae, Pop, and R&B. The album featured collaborations with both Ghanaian stars and international acts, including Cynthia Johnson of “Funky Town” fame, and production by the legendary Jay Q.
His musical journey began during his school days at Aggrey Memorial, where he performed with a pop group called The Cooking Pots.
Today, he continues to refine his sound at Agyingo Studioz, working alongside veteran engineer Agyingo. With his artistry, Gilly & The Stars is not only preserving Ghana’s musical identity but also reimagining it for a global audience. His music — available on iTunes, Amazon, YouTube, and other platforms — proves that highlife still resonates across cultures and generations.