Ghana music has no identity — Kofi Mole

Ghanaian rapper Kofi Mole has triggered a storm in the entertainment industry after bluntly declaring that Ghana’s music lacks a clear global identity, a statement that has split opinion among artists, industry players, and fans.

Speaking on Luv FM in an interview with Melvin on the station’s flagship show DriveTimeOnLuv, the ‘Odobra’ hitmaker questioned the sound of Ghanaian music and the culture and pride driving the industry’s decisions.

“Ghana music is supposed to be booming more than this, but something is wrong,” he said.

“Everybody is on their own. I don’t even feel an industry vibe.”

Kofi Mole argued that Ghana’s biggest mistake was abandoning Azonto too quickly, insisting the genre was the country’s strongest chance at establishing a globally recognised sound.

“Azonto could have been our global sound,” he stated. “That was our identity and we put it in the trash.”

His comments have reignited debate about why Ghana, despite its influence, has failed to secure a defining global sound like Nigeria’s Afrobeats, South Africa’s Amapiano, or Jamaica’s reggae.

“Nigeria is known for Afrobeats. South Africa owns Amapiano. Jamaica owns reggae,” he noted. “But Ghana? We don’t have that one sound the world knows us for.”

The rapper’s remarks were widely interpreted as a swipe at industry gatekeepers, whom he accused of allowing pride, impatience, and trend-chasing to override cultural preservation.

“We move on too fast,” he said. “Before a sound can grow, people say it’s old and force artists to chase the next thing.”

He added that the lack of unity within the industry has left artists disconnected, weakening Ghana’s ability to compete globally.

“You wake up, make your music, connect with your friends but you don’t feel an industry.”

Kofi Mole also blamed fans and online culture for discouraging originality, saying constant ridicule pushes artists away from authentic Ghanaian sounds.

“You can work all day in the studio, then someone wakes up online to trash your work,” he said. “That alone can make artists abandon the sound.”

Recounting backlash he faced after releasing an Azonto-inspired track in 2025, the rapper questioned how a once-celebrated sound has become a source of mockery.

“Someone said I should stop doing Azonto music,” he recalled. “I asked: Why is Azonto suddenly ‘Indian music’? That’s our identity.”

While reactions remain divided, Kofi Mole insists his comments stem from concern, not bitterness.

“We are doing well, but we are supposed to be doing way better,” he said. “Ghana is the gateway to Africa — our music should reflect that power.”

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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.