Ghanaian music legend Okyeame Kwame has shared his insights on the keys to his continued success in the music business, crediting his youth for both his outlook on life and his career. In an insightful conversation with Lexis Bill on Joy FM’s Drive Time, the seasoned rapper offered his own viewpoint on staying relevant in a quickly changing field.
Okyeame Kwame, an iconic figure of Ghanaian music for almost thirty years, emphasized the value of keeping an open-minded, innovative mindset. “I act like I am young,” he said, describing how he resets his perspective to remain relevant while staying up to date. He states that this entails having an innocent mindset, going to the gym frequently to maintain a youthful appearance, and actively interacting with younger generations for motivation and advice.
The rapper, often referred to as the Rap Dacta, has significantly altered his crew in order to align with his captivated young persona. He has purposefully surrounded himself with younger members of his team, appreciating their perspectives on contemporary culture and how it affects his musical endeavors. Okyeame Kwame said, “I terminated the old folks in my team and replaced them with 20-year-olds, and I listen to them,” emphasizing how these younger coworkers push and motivate him.
Even though Okyeame Kwame is in his late 40s and has had a 26-year career in music, he is still a powerful force in the field. His recent nomination for the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) shows that his efforts to remain relevant are not going unnoticed. His song “Insha Allah,” featuring King Paluta, is a contender for the Hiplife Song of the Year category, positioning him against much younger artists like King Paluta, Jay Bahd, and Oseikrom Sikani.
Despite the challenging competition, Okyeame Kwame remains unmoved. He stated in interviews with Graphic Showbiz that he would like to win the Artiste of the Year award again, although he did not do so in 2009. “Being nominated in my 26th year of music feels really amazing, and it tells me that people like what I am doing,” he said. His nomination is evidence of his significant influence in the music industry as well as a source of motivation.
Going forward, Okyeame Kwame is actively planning to further his legacy rather than simply resting on his oars. In an attempt to rewrite history and regain his position at the top, he revealed that he will be releasing a major album this year. “It’s a must for me so I need to change the narrative by dropping a massive album, hopefully, this year. I will put in more work to achieve the goal,” he stated with determination.
