ACCRA, Ghana — Ebo Taylor, the influential Ghanaian guitarist, composer and bandleader born Deroy Taylor, has died at age 90, according to family and Ghanaian music-industry announcements, drawing tributes from artists, public officials and fans across Africa and beyond.
Taylor rose to prominence in the late 1950s and 1960s as one of the architects of modern highlife, developing a distinctive sound that fused Ghanaian rhythmic traditions with jazz harmony, funk groove, soul phrasing and early Afrobeat textures. His style became a reference point for multiple generations of African musicians and producers.
A key formative chapter came during his time in London, where he worked with African musicians including Fela Kuti. Music historians and recent obituaries credit that period with helping shape the cross-pollination that later defined Afrobeat’s early development, even as Taylor remained rooted in Ghana’s own highlife grammar.
After returning to Ghana, Taylor became a sought-after arranger, producer and bandleader, collaborating with major figures such as Pat Thomas and C.K. Mann. Over six decades, he maintained a career that evolved sonically while staying anchored in local cultural forms and storytelling traditions.
His international rediscovery accelerated in the 21st century through albums including Love and Death, Appia Kwa Bridge, and Yen Ara, which introduced his catalogue to new listeners in Europe and North America and reinforced his stature as a foundational figure in African popular music.
Taylor’s influence also entered contemporary pop and hip-hop through sampling and interpolation. Reports note that artists including Usher, Black Eyed Peas, Kelly Rowland and Jidenna drew from his work, extending his sonic imprint into mainstream global music circuits.
Tributes have emphasized both his artistry and mentorship. Ghanaian producer Panji Anoff remembered him as “Uncle Ebo,” while artist Black Sherif described him as a legend whose work made “worldwide ripples.” A spokesperson for Ghana’s presidency said Taylor helped put Ghanaian music on the global map.
Taylor reportedly died on Feb. 7, 2026, shortly after the launch of an event honoring his legacy and about a month after his 90th birthday.
His death closes a defining chapter in African music history—but not his impact. From Cape Coast to global stages and modern playlists, Ebo Taylor’s work endures as a bridge between tradition and innovation, and as a blueprint for how African sound can be both deeply local and unmistakably universal.
