Sarkodie: Nigerian billionaires invest in artistes

Rapper Sarkodie has called on Ghanaian business executives and wealthy individuals to invest in local music talent, saying their Nigerian counterparts are more willing to take financial risks to support artistes.

Speaking on the When We Sit podcast, the Adonai hitmaker said many Ghanaian musicians had to build their careers largely on their own, often struggling to secure financial backing for their projects.

He contrasted this with Nigeria, where he said wealthy businesspeople were more prepared to invest in artistes and help them reach bigger markets.

“What Ghanaian artists do is organic. I give a business plan; even with that, it is hard to get some people to come in. But in Nigeria, I think they take a lot of risks; most rich people take a lot of risks to put their people on. If I break down what it takes to do the O2 Arena, you will freak out, but then we still have to do it,” he said.

Sarkodie also recounted meeting Nigerian billionaire Tony Elumelu, saying he was surprised by the amount Elumelu told him he was investing in a Nigerian artiste he considered the future of Afrobeats. (Read Why I don’t answer calls, messages — Sarkodie )

The rapper said such investments demonstrated the role wealthy individuals could play in helping artistes develop their careers and compete on the international stage.

He urged Ghanaian business leaders and wealthy individuals to adopt a similar approach by providing financial support for local artistes, arguing that greater investment could help Ghana’s music industry expand its reach.