Ghanaian rapper M.anifest has shared his thoughts on what it takes to get people to invest in an artist’s talent and the challenges facing the music industry in Ghana.
In a conversation with DJ Slim on Daybreak Hitz, he emphasized that raw talent alone is not enough to secure success in the music business.
“Nobody is going to support you just because you’re dope, they’re supporting you because you’re dope and potentially can make money,” he said, stressing that financial potential is often a key factor in attracting support.
M.anifest also pointed out the gap between Ghana’s music industry and other creative fields. “Globally, people are doing amazing things, even the visual arts world in Ghana is going to reach incredible heights when it comes to business, but the music is always lacking in that regard,” he observed.
He didn’t hold back in highlighting some of the challenges facing the music industry in Ghana.
“In terms of the music industry side, we dey back. I’ll just say it plainly and honestly. We haven’t reached any respectable levels for the kind of place where we for dey, like as both as a country and also to honor the kind of talent that we have,” he said.
The rapper emphasized that creatives need to be more serious-minded and that the industry itself needs to be more tangible and business-focused.
“Obviously, the infrastructure thing is a huge thing, but I’m also putting the honest on us as creatives to also be a bit more serious-minded… Industry should be tangible. We haven’t created a very lucrative infrastructure for the business, both lucrative and also beneficial to the consumer,” M.anifest explained.
He concluded by underscoring the importance of good ideas and hard work in creating a successful career.
“Money doesn’t bring good ideas, good ideas bring money… All of us for be more serious. That’s how we have to what do, we’re always making excuses, we are always like talking about problems, we are not talking about it, just like is an actual industry,” he noted.
M.anifest’s interview offers an insightful take on the need for improved infrastructure, entrepreneurial mindset, and a more serious approach to the business side of the music industry in Ghana.