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Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie has attributed part of Nigerian musicians’ international success to substantial financial support from wealthy business leaders, calling on Ghanaian executives to make similar investments in local talent.
Speaking on the When We Sit podcast, he said Nigerian investors are more willing to commit significant resources to promising artistes and take the financial risks needed to expand their reach beyond domestic audiences.
Sarkodie explained that many Ghanaian musicians largely finance their own careers, making it difficult to match the scale of international promotion and live performances available to better-funded competitors.
According to him, even artistes who approach potential investors with detailed business proposals often struggle to secure backing in Ghana. He cited the expense of staging a concert at London’s O2 Arena as an example of the resources required to compete at the highest level.
To illustrate his point, Sarkodie recounted meeting Nigerian businessman and UBA Chairman Tony Elumelu at a luxury suit shop in London.
During their conversation, he said, Elumelu disclosed that he was investing a substantial amount in a young Nigerian musician whose talent he believed could help shape the future of Afrobeats.
Sarkodie did not name the artiste or reveal the investment figure but said the amount surprised him.
According to the rapper, Elumelu’s decision reflected both confidence in the musician and an understanding that greater global recognition for Nigerian culture could also create opportunities for Nigerian businesses.
Sarkodie urged Ghanaian business executives to adopt a similar outlook by treating music as an industry with commercial potential and committing resources to its growth.
He argued that stronger financial backing would give Ghanaian artistes more opportunities to build international audiences and compete on a larger stage.
Source: Omanghana
