Sarkodie said Nigerian billionaires and business executives back their artists with significant financial support, a contrast to Ghana. The rapper made the comments during a recent episode of the When We Sit podcast.
He described how Ghanaian artists often create music independently, without financial help from local business figures. “What Ghanaian artists do is organic,” he said. “I give a business plan; even with that, it is hard to get some people to come in.”
In contrast, he said Nigerian businessmen take greater risks and invest heavily in talent. “In Nigeria, I think they take a lot of risks; most rich people take a lot of risks to put their people on,” Sarkodie said.
He recalled a meeting with Nigerian billionaire Tony Elumelu, who told him about a substantial investment in a Nigerian artist poised to be the future of Afrobeats. Sarkodie said he was shocked by the amount Elumelu was putting into the artist.
The rapper also broke down the costs involved in staging a show at London’s O2 Arena, implying that the expenses are enormous but necessary for growth. “If I break down what it takes to do the O2 Arena, you will freak out, but then we still have to do it,” he said.
Sarkodie urged Ghanaian business executives and wealthy individuals to follow the Nigerian example by providing financial support to Ghanaian artists.
The comments come amid ongoing debates about the funding and development of the Ghanaian music industry. Artists like M.anifest, KiDi, Stonebwoy, and Shatta Wale have built careers with varying levels of corporate backing. Labels such as Sarkcess Music, BHIM Nation, and Lynx Entertainment have supported artists but often without the scale of investment seen in Nigeria.
The Nigerian music industry has benefited from billionaire backers, including Tony Elumelu, who has publicly invested in the Afrobeats scene. This financial encouragement has played a role in the global rise of Nigerian artists.
Sarkodie’s remarks highlight a gap in local investment for Ghanaian musicians. The contrast with Nigeria’s financial ecosystem for artists points to broader questions about the relationship between business and culture in both countries.
Ghanaian musicians continue to rely largely on organic growth and personal funding, while Nigerian artists often receive direct backing from wealthy individuals willing to take financial risks.
Sarkodie’s appeal to Ghana’s business class signals a desire for change in the support structures around music in Ghana. The impact of such investments could reshape opportunities for Ghanaian talent seeking to compete on a global stage.
According to Joy Online.
