Ghanaian artiste Olivetheboy has expressed his thoughts on the ongoing conversation about Ghanaian artistes sounding Nigerian.
While admitting on Daybreak Hitz that he is one of the Ghanaian artistes who sound Nigerian, he indicated that it is not a new phenomenon.
Olivetheboy believes people now accept change and influence in music, noting that many genres, including Afrobeats, have evolved from existing styles like highlife.
“I think now people accept change. When you look at most of the songs and most of the genres that have come, there was some tapping from somewhere. That’s how come there was that conversation about Afrobeats coming or growing from highlife,” he said.
He emphasised that borrowing languages from other influences is inevitable.
“To me, it is all about accepting that there has to be some tapping from somewhere. It wasn’t even intentional before, but now it’s very intentional. Because you’re not trying to only do music — yes, we want to project Ghana — but we’re not only doing that by making music for people down here alone. You’re trying to intentionally do something that, in a way, projects Ghana beyond Ghana. You understand? That means you have to tap into something that somebody else understands and relates to,” he said.
Olivetheboy believes using other languages will help his audience understand and connect with his music.
“That is why I’m not afraid of tapping into that market and using their language. I am not afraid of doing that, because in a way they will understand it,” he added.
In the meantime, Olivetheboy has released an EP titled Full, featuring Mayorkun, Qing Madi, Sarkodie, Veola, and Soundz.
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