Joel Ofori Bonsu, widely known as Olivetheboy, won the “Afrobeats Song Of The Year” award at the 25th TGMA, held on Saturday, June 1, 2024.
Despite his recent recognition, Olivetheboy, in an interview with Nana Romeo of Accra FM, discussed the challenging journey he faced to achieve his current success.
Rising from a budding artist to a mainstream sensation in 2023, Olivetheboy quickly gained a devoted following among music lovers.
However, he reminisced about the obstacles he encountered during his early days in the industry.
Sharing his past struggles, Olivetheboy revealed the difficulties he faced when he decided to fully commit to a music career.
He recounted a particularly tough time when his biological mother considered involving the police due to his frequent absences from Opoku Ware Senior High School, where he was a student, in favor of spending time recording music in the studio.
“My mother couldn’t comprehend why I, a promising science student, would choose to divert my attention to music,” Olive Theboy shared, reflecting on the initial resistance he faced from his family.
Despite the initial opposition, Olivetheboy persevered, driven by his passion for music. “Releasing my first EP in 2021 while still in school caused quite a stir.
“My family was taken aback, and there were even threats of legal action,” he recounted. “But over time, through discussions and persuasion, they came to accept and support my musical aspirations. Today, my mother is proud of my achievements,” he added.
Currently studying Metallurgical Engineering at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST), Olivetheboy has temporarily paused his studies to focus on his rapidly growing music career.
Juggling academics with his musical ambitions, Olivetheboy remains dedicated to both his education and his art.