Ghanaian music sensation, Fameye, recently made headlines when he revealed that he would decline an invitation to perform at Afronation Portugal, one of the biggest music festivals, citing his lack of preparedness and the absence of a substantial audience base. In an interview with Berla Mundi on The Day Show, Fameye shed light on the challenges faced by Ghanaian musicians when attempting to gather support from the Ghanaian diaspora during international performances. He also touched upon the shifting dynamics in the music industry, where Nigerian artists now seem to be taking the lead in the international music scene.
during the interview Fameye shed light on some of the significant challenges that Ghanaian artists face when performing on international stages. One of the key issues is the struggle to garner substantial support from the Ghanaian diaspora. Unlike Nigerian artists who often enjoy overwhelming turnout and fervent support from their compatriots during international shows, Ghanaian artists, including Fameye himself, often find themselves facing smaller audiences than expected.
Fameye pointed out that there has been a noticeable shift in the dynamics of the international music scene. In the past, Ghanaian artists were at the forefront of international performances, even catching the attention of Nigerian artists for collaborations. However, this trend has reversed, with Ghanaian artists now seeking opportunities to collaborate with their Nigerian counterparts.
Fameye highlighted an example from his own experience when hosting a show in the UK, where the attendance fell short of his expectations. This incident illustrates the audience gap that Ghanaian artists currently face compared to their Nigerian counterparts. While Nigerian artists like Burna Boy can enjoy widespread recognition and playtime abroad, Ghanaian artists often struggle to achieve the same level of visibility.
Fameye emphasized the importance of being prepared before performing on such a big international platform. He explained that he wants to work on building his audience base so that when he does perform abroad, he can match up to the expectations of the audience. His decision to decline the invitation to Afronation Portugal stems from his belief that he is not yet adequately prepared to make a significant impact on such a grand stage.
Fameye also addressed the issue of Ghanaians’ reluctance to attend shows by their own artists. He noted that people are more willing to seek permission from work and make significant efforts to attend Nigerian artists’ shows, while they do not display the same enthusiasm for Ghanaian artists. This, according to Fameye, is a perplexing shift from the past when Ghanaians were more supportive of their own artists.
