Award-winning musician Okyeame Kwame, renowned as Kwame Nsiah-Apau, has expressed concern over the rapid decline of Ghana’s music industry, attributing it to the challenging economic conditions faced by artists.
In a candid conversation on Star Chat with Bola Ray, Okyeame Kwame pointed out the disparity between the success of older artists in developed countries, such as Grammy-winning new artists over the age of 39 and prominent hip-hop stars aged 43 and above.
The artist emphasised that the struggle for survival hinders artistic expression, asserting, “You can’t indulge in art unless you grow and feed yourself. Because I have never seen a hungry boy looking at the sunset and saying that it is a beautiful sunset.”
Okyeame Kwame drew attention to the impact of the economic situation on the creative process, explaining, “For us Africans, we have sort of relegated our economy and given it to the white man to do what they want with it. We can’t enjoy the sunset, we can’t taste food, that’s why our fashion is not going anywhere. Hiplife couldn’t survive because of the economy.”
While acknowledging some assistance from successive governments, Okyeame Kwame asserted that the support received is “woefully inadequate.”
He urged proactive measures to revitalize the Ghanaian music industry, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to address the economic challenges faced by artists.
Okyeame Kwame nicknamed Rap Doctor is a Ghanaian musician, songwriter, creative director and a Developmental Activist.