Efya, a Ghanaian artist, has dismissed comparisons between the Ghanaian and Nigerian music industries, claiming that Lagos is “bigger” than Ghana.
According to her, there should be no comparisons between the two countries because Nigeria is larger than Ghana.She emphasized the benefit that Nigeria’s greater population gives to the music business when compared to the Ghanaian market, and instead of drawing direct comparisons, Efya urged that the two countries focus on collaborating and working together.Her precise words were,
“Nigerian and Ghanaian music markets are not the same. Nigerians are way more than we are in terms of numbers. Numbers really matter now. The number of people who will stream Nigerian music in Nigeria is different from the number of people who will stream Ghanaian music in Ghana. The numbers are not the same.
“In terms of numbers, Lagos is bigger than Ghana. It is like the music hub itself. Nigerians are way bigger than we are. So, usually, when I see people comparing, I’m like, ‘Do you guys know?
“There shouldn’t be any comparisons. What I believe we should do is be more collaborative. Find our vibes and put them together to advance what Afrobeats is going to be in the future—for us to be the gatekeepers of our own sound. And I think that’s the power move.”
The similarities between Ghanaian and Nigerian music have long been a source of contention between the two countries.
