In an exclusive interview on 90MinutesAfrica, Jahbeloved, Topgyal Renner, and Knil Lante discussed the success of Nigerian music and what Ghana can learn from it.
They pointed out that Nigerian Afrobeats has achieved great international acclaim.
Knil Lante praised Nigerian artists, stating, “The success of Afrobeats is the success of Nigerian artists.”
He believes that the funding available to Nigerian musicians plays a crucial role in their success.
“The business community in Ghana does not understand how big music is now or they have no interest,” Lante explained.
Many Ghanaian musicians struggle to finance their work due to a lack of support from local businesses.
Lante, who is also a medical doctor, shared his personal experience of financing his music career.
“I have been using my income as a medical doctor to support my music,” he said.
However, he noted that balancing both his medical career and family needs is becoming increasingly difficult.
“I think we need to develop a system that can finance music or make businessmen more interested in the music we do,” he suggested.
Topgyal Renner, the only female artist in the group, echoed Lante’s sentiments.
She emphasized that Nigerian artists excel because they “put music on the agenda.”
She urged Ghanaians to show more love for their own music and artists.
“Nigerians have a way of promoting their music that we need to adopt,” she said.
Renner pointed out that Ghana has immense musical talent but lacks the systems to support it effectively.
“Developing these systems will help our artists excel,” she added.
The trio also discussed the similarities between Ghana and Nigeria.
They noted that both countries share cultural traits, including food and languages.
Despite the friendly rivalry between the two nations, they agree that competition can be beneficial.
“The exchange between Ghana and Nigeria is two-way,” Jahbeloved remarked.
He explained that Ghana created highlife music before Nigeria popularized it worldwide.
“However, Nigeria has also adopted elements from Ghanaian music,” he said.
Jahbeloved noted the influence of the 1983 Nigerian mass exodus on Ghanaian culture.
“People who returned from Nigeria brought with them many Nigerian words that are now part of our languages,” he stated.
He humorously pointed out that Ghanaians now use the word “chai,” similar to the Nigerian “kai.”
Jahbeloved even suggested that the popular Ghanaian word “chale” might have originated from the Nigerian word “jare.”
The artists are not only focused on music but also on the political climate in Ghana.
They called on politicians in both countries to prioritize good governance.
“Good governance is essential for the growth of our music industries,” Jahbeloved emphasized.
As Ghana approaches its presidential election, the artists urged for peaceful conduct during the process.
“We hope for a peaceful election in Ghana,” Lante stated, reflecting the importance of stability for artists and their communities.
Renner added, “The outcome of the election will impact us all, including our music careers.”
The musicians believe that addressing the funding gap in the Ghanaian music industry is critical for its growth.
Without proper support, talented artists may struggle to gain recognition.
“It is important for the business community to recognize the potential of music,” said Renner.
The musicians are eager to see a shift in how local businesses view the music industry.
“Investing in music can yield significant returns,” Lante argued.
He believes that supporting local artists can lead to a thriving music scene in Ghana.
Jahbeloved concluded by calling for unity among musicians.
“Ghanaian artists must come together to promote our music,” he urged.
He emphasized that collaboration could help elevate the Ghanaian music industry.
