Is It Just Packaging? The Nigeria 🇳🇬 vs Ghana 🇬🇭 Music Debate!

Added: 2026-05-31

[00:00:00]According to Ghanaian artists, medical, he says that the only difference between Nigerian artists and Ghanaian artists is in terms of packaging. Now, according to him, um he does not believe that Ghanaian artists are more talented or richer than Ghanaians. Where Nigerians might super um super surpass Oh, surpass. Thank you. Surpass Ghanaians is in terms of packaging. Now, before we listen to the interview, what do you think? Do you think that's the only aspect that Nigerian artists Nigerian artists surpasses Ghanaians or is there more to it?

[00:00:33]Nigerian artists are more than Ghanaian artists in every single measurable measurable metric.

[00:00:38]>> Why? If you take 15 Nigerian artists, you take 15 Ghanaian artists >> Why? And I those 15 Nigerian artists are going to beat their corresponding 15 Ghanaian artists Mhm. in every single measurable objective metric. Why? In terms of their streams, in terms of their reach, in terms of their following, in terms of their impact, in terms of their endorsement deals, in terms of their revenue, in terms of everything.

[00:01:10]So, I don't even I don't even know.

[00:01:13]Catalog with its >> think Ghanaians okay Yeah, maybe you have more songs than me.

[00:01:18]But now, which how many of You have more songs, but how many of those songs are international songs global hits? Why? That's how I look at it. You might have more songs. Maybe Ghanaians some Ghanaian artists might win in the in the In terms of discography discography.

[00:01:32]Okay, I've released more songs, I've been a larger body of work. Mhm. You see? But now, when it comes now to the impact that those songs have created, the commission that those songs have, the streams that those songs have, the awards that those songs have won Mhm.

[00:01:47]Yeah, come on. It's not like I'm denying. But personally, I do not agree that you might have talent. You might be more talented. These days, talent is not enough, isn't it? Nobody cares about your talent.

[00:01:57]>> ensemble of things that need to be true.

[00:01:59]You get what I mean? You can be more talented than some you just like maybe a journalist will be like oh I'm more talented than than Shatta Wale or than Darling Young bro.

[00:02:07]They have to put in the work. Do you have the kind of views I'm having? No.

[00:02:10]Do you have the name? Of course not. You see? So nobody cares about your talent baby. Nobody What are you doing with the talent? You see? Wala. So me I feel like that is not a good comparison. I'm a fan of Ghanaian music or Ghanaian artists, some of them. You know, especially those who who are into Afrobeats music. But I feel like Ghanaian artists do not have a particular sound. You know, a particular sound in the sense of course we know genres. We know that okay Ghanaians they really claim on Afrobeats for a very long time. They really claim to Afrobeats and then Ghanaians equally sing or they're into dancehall, reggae dancehall. Rap. Rap music, drill, rap, hip hop. But I want to pay particular attention to those who are into Afrobeats. Now it's the why I said they do not have a sound is is this is or maybe an identity. Cultural identity. Okay, that's a better word, right? Musical identity because when you listen to a music it's difficult to differentiate. For example, if you were to listen to Olive the Boy, maybe any of his songs I sell them or maybe bottom my bread from that what's his name? Oh my goodness, this cute guy from Nigeria featuring um Last Week. Mhm. Bottom my bread or Jazzy Jazzy Jazzy No. Jazzy No and Jazzy No and Last Week or Last Week. They're two people.

[00:03:21]>> Gyakie MzVee Eno Barony and others. Listen to that song. Can you tell that it's coming from from Ghanaian? You think it's Nigerian. Most of the even when you listen to Kidi the Boy, Kidi the um Kidi. I don't know what I'm also I mean today. One of the boy Kidi when you listen to Kidi, sorry.

[00:03:37]When you listen to Kidi because he too is equally into Afrobeats.

[00:03:39]>> Fast fast fast fast touch you. When you listen to it you might not tell from you know like instant oh this is a Ghanaian artist, right? You can listen to the song for two years without even knowing that You don't even know that it's coming from a Ghanaian because they they want to Gyakie, all of them. They want to sound like Nigerian.

[00:03:54]>> Mhm. That is the problem. Ghanaian artists don't have >> It's not really a problem per se, but you guys are listening to me right now.

[00:04:01]The the artists who are into the contemporary I forgot the word contemporary Ghanaian music that are really known that are maybe Shatta Wale, Black Sherif, Black Sherif, Sarkodie, Sarkodie, Medikal, Medikal. Let's put Medikal aside.

[00:04:16]>> Put Medikal aside. Well, we don't I don't really listen to Medikal's song. I think I know I've seen I think his most recent project is really good. Uh Shoda, Shoda.

[00:04:25]I think the those the the names I have called are the artists that when you listen to you can get a bit of Ghanaian in them.

[00:04:32]Ghanaian influence. And when you listen to Shatta Wale, when you listen to Sarkodie, listen to Black Sherif, Fuse ODG, Samini, Wala. Those are Samini is like an An ancient artist. Ancient ancient ancient. Even even Shatta Wale is an ancient ancient but still relevant now. When you listen to Stonebwoy, when you listen to this this girl Wendy Shay, Wendy Shay. Wala, there's a bit of Ghanaian in her. But they are not popping enough. They are not big enough on the on the international stage. Yeah, right. Those who have blended a bit of Afrobeat, a bit of the Nigerian sound into their music are the ones who have transcended, who have gone further. The all those who have collaborated with Nigerians. For example, KiDi's collaboration with them.

[00:05:12]>> Kojo Black, too. Those Dwala, King Promise, King Promise, all of them. So, when you listen to the King Promises, the Kojo Black, the KiDi's, the KiDi's, Lasmid, Kwame Eugene, they don't sound at all like Ghanaians. Ghanaians, true.

[00:05:28]>> Yeah. Yeah. Mhm. There could be a slight difference in their accent. But when you listen to the music, you don't really pay particular attention to their you know, it's more about the rhythm and all.

[00:05:36]Their music don't sound They even add a Nigerian pigeon into their songs. So, it's difficult for you to differentiate.

[00:05:41]Whereas, it's so easy for When I listen to a Nigerian song, when I listen to a music, Mhm. I can tell you where it's coming from. If it's Afrobeat, oh, this is Nigerian. Mhm. I can even tell you the voice. This is so Buju. This is so oh oh Is Daniel. This is so KiDi. This is Daniel. Mhm. This is Davido. This is Olamide. Black. This is Davido. This is Burna Boy. But can you tell when it's in Kenya? Of course not. So Kenyans are just copycats. Let me rephrase that.

[00:06:06]Kenyans are just copycats. They're Nigerian wannabes. Anyways, guys, let's take a look at this interview real quick. Ghanaians artists don't make that much money. But if you look at the quality of music, you can see some great music in Ghana as well. Why is that not happening? I don't think Ghanaian artists don't make much money.

[00:06:24]Cuz me for instance, I don't know about other artists. But me for instance, if you get if you get to talk to my promoters, you will let you know how much Medikal charges for a show. You know me, it's just there's a certain thing and perception, you know, that media has created in the heads of Ghanaians like that Nigerians are living better than than Ghanaians. But I don't think that's what it is.

[00:06:48]That there are artists like myself and I don't want to name drop like Okyeame Kwame, like people or colleagues and stuff like that.

[00:06:55]We actually living good.

[00:06:57]What does living good mean? Well, I mean, like the way you're saying people will say or say that No no shade to Ghanaian artists.

[00:07:07]But our medical honest don't know you're trying to be patriotic. You're trying to support your own. You know, you're trying to But in all honesty, majority of Nigerian artists are richer than Ghanaian artists. They live a far better life.

[00:07:20]They ride in expensive cars compared to Ghanaian artists. Are there a few Ghanaian artists with you know, with that who live that flamboyant lifestyle?

[00:07:28]Of course, you're going to call for example Shatta Wale. I don't know if I don't know much about Medikal's lifestyle or you know, but I've seen a bit of Shatta Wale. I've seen a bit of Stonebwoy. Mhm. Uh Well, let's let's say Ghanaian artists Sarkodie Let's say all Ghanaian artists are rich. Let's just say Ghanaian artists live well. Yeah, of course. But Nigerian artists live better. Thank you very much.

[00:07:48]>> Walahi. We're not saying We're not saying Ghanaian artists are broke. They live a comfortable life. They can afford good cars, expensive cars, afford trips.

[00:07:57]But the difference between Ghanaian artist and Nigerian artist is like the difference between Kim Kardashian and the house. It's like the difference 10 million and 100 million. Yeah, if you have 10 million Yeah, you live comfortable. You live comfortable. You're still a rich man. Walahi. But the person who is is the 100 million or 500 million >> Oh, that's that's a different >> That's a different bracket. That's a different tax bracket.

[00:08:21]>> Ghanaian artists drive expensive cars, but can you compare your cars to the cars that Davido Burna Boy I've been going out with Davido. Let's take Tiwa Savage.

[00:08:29]>> Rema. Rema. The Rema isn't getting So, you see that it's even difficult for us to do the comparison, right?

[00:08:36]>> Right, yeah. Walahi. To be honest, so I don't know let's let's carry on.

[00:08:39]Nigerian artists they they they own cars. They have private jets. We hear about Burna Boy, Davido. Yeah, they own private jets. So, if I tell you I have a private jet, you're going to believe me?

[00:08:48]No, I don't believe you. You don't believe me?

[00:08:50]Because he showed it. This private jet argument is actually is is actually a very very flimsy argument. Because like what you said Right. How do you tell if someone owns a private jet or not?

[00:09:02]There's no way for you to affirm that that private jet belongs to them. They can charter I mean most people they charter a a private jet. It's a very common occurrence.

[00:09:11]And I don't believe Davido aside, which I still heavily doubt, let Nigerian to come for me, I don't care.

[00:09:20]None of owning a private jet is a huge financial investment.

[00:09:27]>> Right. A huge financial commitment.

[00:09:31]Owning a private jet, fuel, maintenance, the crew, paying all those things. So, most people or they charter jets. Owning a jet isn't American artists like the Akons and the Regroces and the rest of the care have come out telling us that owning it at some time I think Sam Wellito owned a private jet that who keep for neck.

[00:09:50]Nigerian artists are not worth up to 50 million dollars. They're worth like 20 million. So, with a with a net worth of less than 50 million dollars, how can you be telling me that you can you're owning and maintaining a private jet?

[00:10:01]You can lease and charter a private jet, but owning So, the private jet in the argument is a bit from both of In short, from him he's trying to make he's trying to make my point there he's not really making but the the the journalist is trying to push something [snorts] that does not really it does not hold water.

[00:10:21]Exactly. You can easily charter a private jet. You can easily ride in a billionaire's private jet. See, when you're influential enough, a rich man can just give you one of his expensive cars to be driving.

[00:10:32]One very because he's a fan of you, he can just give you when you have an issue, he can just lease you his private jet. So, it does not mean you have How do we verify that that private jet is yours? And when I want to look like what I say when you when I have to look at the numbers, when you look at those artists' net worth their net worth does not justify them.

[00:10:50]It does not make financial sense for them to own any African artist now. It does not mean private financial sense for them to own the caliber of private jets we are seeing them inside.

[00:11:01]They'll get they'll go bankrupt in 2 years.

[00:11:06]Exactly.

[00:11:07]You need to be a billionaire in dollars or a hundred millionaire like 4 500 million the Taylor Swifts of the world to own a private jet.

[00:11:17]Okay, but pictures and videos of stuff of me in a private jet. Now, you know I just said you have a private jet. So, what if I tell you I'm tell I'm I'm saying something like that. I said if I'm if I tell you I have a private jet, you wouldn't believe me.

[00:11:28]Well, because you feel like that you can hear me they got it. And that's the problem.

[00:11:32]Do you understand? I know there are Ghanaians who have private jets. The McDonnells. No, he's not an artist. I'm saying that the artist there. Ghanaian artists and Nigerian artists just there.

[00:11:41]The The mindset. You get me? And that's one of the reasons why when our industry will be grown, because people will they understand say before place when our people get for them to get there. You didn't believe say Nigerian artists get private jet. But I do believe say Ghanaian artists get private jet. It It is not about belief. It's like giving the influence. It's just like that time people People see your contest say, "Boy, I'm sure you're making money here because they will see the views. They will see the impact. They will see the reach." Or they see where you work in your day job. When they see it, they know that, "Oh, you give." So, you can deduce that Nigerian artists It's easy for you to believe that a Nigerian artist is making has a private jet. Exactly.

[00:12:27]Well, well, you see the endorsement deals. So, it's not about belief. It is like, "Oh, this guy should might See the workings. Follow us. See the workings. Evidence there.

[00:12:39]Follow us.

[00:12:40]Follow us.

[00:12:53]That's what I'm saying.

[00:12:54]Yeah, you have a point. Thank you very much. Yeah. You will find me doubt yours. That's what That's what you You know what I'm saying? Because I say the new rich He has an album that has done 10 million streams on Spotify. He's done that. He's done that. Burna Boy, for instance, they select him for Champions League final last season in Paris. Burna Boy was a headline artist.

[00:13:15]You won't see Ghanaian artists at the top of that kind of thing. No, you're you're you're you're very wrong because Shatta Wale recently just sold out the Roundhouse in London. And he's doing that. You know that.

[00:13:26]You want to compare the Royal Albert Hall? It's It's 2,000, is it?

[00:13:29]>> That's one show in a in four years Sarkodie in like what, three, four years after he did >> done. He's even planning on filling the O2 Arena. That I think it should be March 2027. 2027 is next year.

[00:13:40]These people have filled it and they're doing >> always on tour.

[00:13:43]>> What are you talking about?

[00:13:44]>> Burna Boy was on American tour last year and was in Europe and in Scandinavia.

[00:13:47]They are always on tour. Davido was in England. They are always on tour.

[00:13:50]>> working all the time then. What off It's still there, right? They're all over the place. I mean, you're talking about So, what is an Albert Hall even? How many capacities? Like 2,000, 3,000?

[00:13:59]>> Even if it is 13 million capacity, that is one that is That is one venue he has done in like two years.

[00:14:05]>> Well, two years. Please, you're doing him justice. Like five years. When last did Sarkodie host a show? Come on, a tour. Before they go on tour, that like now he's announcing his O2 Arena one year.

[00:14:17]It's going to take him like one year to fill it up. But, how long would it take, you know, Burna Boy to be able to fill that?

[00:14:21]>> Burna Boy just needs to sneeze to fill >> And And everyone is going to catch a cold, so please. O2 Arena O2. Yeah, I did O2 as well. So, you're talking about that as well. Was it Is it an achievement? But, it says I'm excited with that with that. We're very excited with that. And you don't know how much and and and gain I got paid off that bed by by you like I think people got millions. This guy is making a straw man argument. They have asked you a question. You are setting up your own premise and you want us to argue against it. No. They are not saying that Nigerian artists are not getting paid.

[00:14:58]They're not saying that Ghanaian artists are not making money. Yeah.

[00:15:02]>> They're saying that compared to Nigerian artists, the amount of money Ghanaians are making Mhm.

[00:15:08]>> is very little compared to especially the top Ghanaian Nigerian artists, Ghanaian artists have not gotten there.

[00:15:15]Mhm. So, if they if they paid you $30,000 for that performance, know that they paid Davido $70,000 or $100,000.

[00:15:24]So, it's not We are not saying they are not getting paid. You're You're rich. You're living a good life. Eh, you're me uh you're you're a millionaire or you're a 100 millionaire.

[00:15:34]Another person is a billionaire. He's worth like 10 billion. It's like comparing someone who is worth 700 million with someone who is worth 10 billion. This is it. He's talking about um the O2. He was talking about the O2 Arena if I'm if I'm if if I heard him correctly. Now, he says that Ghanaian rapper Medikal did not fill He did not fill the O2.

[00:15:51]>> not fill the main Yeah, yeah. 20,000 O2 Arena. He said he made history by selling out the Indigo Wala. Wala.

[00:15:59]Indigo. a distinct sister venue located within the same entertainment complex on May 3rd, 2024. Medikal successfully packed 2,800 capacity. Are you kidding me?

[00:16:11]Medikal, are you kidding? Are you you're bluffing? Now, they want to kill Ghanaians. So, that's a 20%. You you filled 20% of the O2 Arena. making so much noise only 2,800 people. The capacity of the auditorium for his debut UK headline concert solely defined a major milestone for Ghanaian hip hop.

[00:16:29]We we we we appreciate we applaud you for that, but come on. 20,000 Compared to 2,800, bro. You know how you you owe us 17,200.

[00:16:39]>> [laughter] >> Let's carry on.

[00:16:41]What you are saying is completely true because when it comes to medical practice, for instance, you trust Ghanaian doctors. If you go and they say this is a Nigerian doctor, you panic a little bit. You turn up in say Tamale General Hospital or Takoradi Hospital and they say the doctor is a Nigerian, you're going to I want a Ghanaian doctor. So, Why Why though? Why would they panic though?

[00:17:00]They would try.

[00:17:01]We're talking entertainment.

[00:17:03]Let's continue.

[00:17:05]other people than our own people. When it comes to our football, we celebrate our footballers higher than we celebrate any other footballer in terms of whether they are rich or whatever. So, maybe it has to do with another category, maybe artists, but I'm know we have we have we have I'm talking about music. Just in the music side, not generalizing the whole topic.

[00:17:24]Okay, okay, okay. That was in the music side. Yeah, I'm talking about music. Is it Is it a new thing?

[00:17:30]Yeah.

[00:17:32]Is it a new Football is a is especially when I want to talk about international football. Mhm.

[00:17:42]It's not an individual thing. Of course not. It's a national thing.

[00:17:46]>> Mhm. You're representing the nation.

[00:17:48]Right.

[00:17:49]>> So, of course, even if I know your team is better than mine, I'm going to support my team.

[00:17:54]>> Most of them. I'm going to want my team to win.

[00:17:57]>> Yeah.

[00:17:58]Mhm. But music is not a Ghanaian artist versus Nigerian artist thing. It's about which music speaks to my soul.

[00:18:10]>> the most. Which one is most to >> So, people should not be making that is that two different diametrically opposing things.

[00:18:18]I support even if Cameroon is playing against England or against Brazil and all our top stars are injured, I will still want Cameroon to win. Even all the odds, when Cameroon was playing against Brazil in the World Cup 2022, all the odds were stacked against us. We should have supported Cameroon. We got to the World Cup and that was it.

[00:18:35]>> Yeah. Well, I Even if you are going to the World Cup as the weakest team, Ghana is qualified has qualified for the World Cup. They will not win. They're performing terribly.

[00:18:42]>> But they are hoping to win.