Ghana Music 101: 12 Major Ghanaian Music Artistes You Should Know About

By Meg Sagoe

Don’t get me wrong, we have sooo many amazing artists but listing them all will just take forever so…call this a refresher course on some of the artists running the music scene in Ghana right now. These are names that stand out, some of who have been hard at work on their careers consistently, others who have excelled in some niches and a few who broke out and hit no brakes

Sarkodie: The Rap King

Sarkodie is basically the king of rap in Ghana. He first started out as a battle rapper taking part in street battles and freestyle competitions until he shot into the limelight for his style of rapping. His lyrical prowess earned him a permanent spot in the Ghanaian music scene and his hard work, dedication and skills earned him several awards both internationally and locally with multiple projects under his belt. His impressive discography and collaborations with international artists have earned him a well-deserved place on the global stage and his ability to churn out hits has made him a relevant artist in the music scene till date with the biggest fanbase: Sarknation.

Black Sherif: The Breakout Sensation

Black Sherif has taken the Ghanaian music scene by storm with his unique sound and relatable storytelling. His hit song "Second Sermon" became an instant anthem, addressing societal issues with a compelling narrative. With his distinctive style blending hip-hop, drill, and afrobeats, Black Sherif has quickly become one of Ghana's most talked-about artists and everyone’s excited about his future.

Shatta Wale: The Dancehall Maverick

Known for his electrifying stage presence and catchy tunes, Shatta Wale is a dancehall maverick who has left an indelible mark on the Ghanaian music scene. Shatta Wale started his career as Bandana, but it was his rebranding as Shatta Wale that truly propelled him into the spotlight. With his unique blend of Dancehall and Afrobeats, he quickly gained a loyal fan base, Shatta Movement Family (SM) and became a household name in Ghana and beyond, scoring a feature with global icon, Beyonce for her Black Is King album. What sets Shatta Wale apart is not only his catchy tunes but also his ability to connect with his audience. His lyrics often reflect the struggles and aspirations of the everyday person, making him relatable and beloved by many.

Kuami Eugene: The Highlife Prodigy

Kuami Eugene is currently the biggest hitmaker in Ghana. Known for his sweet voice and infectious melodies, his songs are an instant hit among the young and old alike.

In 2016, he participated in the MTN Hitmaker reality show and emerged as the winner, which gave him the platform to launch his music career. Since then he’s won several awards and his unique blend of highlife, afrobeats, and contemporary music has made him a beloved favorite especially with legendary Ghanaian highlife music artists, some of whom constantly hail him as a highlife prodigy.

Stonebwoy: The Dancehall Sensation

Stonebwoy is hailed by many as an incredible lyricist and performer. He started his career as a dancehall artist from senior high school and quickly gained popularity with his unique style and sound. His music is a blend of reggae, dancehall, and afrobeats leaving him with a diverse discography that’s entertaining and impressive. His lyrical prowess is obvious with every listen and he’s collaborated with many international acts including Jamaican sensations Sean Paul and Beenie Man. He’s a leader to a dedicated fanbase, BHIM Nation, and his humility is a distinct personality trait that keeps growing his fanbase.

M.anifest: The god MC

M.anifest, known for his lyrical prowess and thought-provoking content, is a prominent figure in Ghanaian hip-hop. His innovative approach to music is so unique, it has earned him critical acclaim and collaborations with global artists and brands. M.anifest's storytelling and social commentary through his music make him a standout in the hip-hop scene and his thoughtful lyrics coupled with his sound, a blend of hiphop with distinct African rhythms have made him a respected voice in music. He is known for using his platform to raise awareness about issues affecting his community and to inspire others to make a positive impact.

Efya: The Queen

Efya is an incredibly talented singer, songwriter and performer. Her talent is evident in her relevance all these years. After taking part in the maiden edition of the singing competition, Stars of the Future, Irene started out as part of a girl group, Irene and Jane. However, her solo career took off later and since then she’s scored features with the likes of Wizkid. Her soulful voice and emotionally charged performances have earned her a special place in the hearts of music lovers and her talent shines through the fact that she’s won Best Female Vocal performance at the Ghana Music Awards, four times in a row.

Kwesi Arthur: The Voice of Hope

Kwesi Arthur, a risen star in Ghana's music scene, gained recognition through his debut single "Grind Day" and the mixtape "Live from Nkrumah." His distinctive fusion of hip-hop and afrobeat, coupled with his raw storytelling, resonates with the experiences of his generation. His success story is easily one of hard work, dedication and perseverance and his music often carries a message of hope and inspiration to his fans. He’s considered by many as the future of Ghanaian rap music and his fanbase, predominantly young people, look to his music, lifestyle and success story as inspiration or hope for better and bigger dreams.

KiDi: The Sensational Crooner

KiDi, with his smooth vocals and suave persona, is a heartthrob and an afrobeats R&B sensation. He started his music career as a contestant on the popular music talent show, MTN Hitmaker, where he emerged as the winner in 2015 and he’s been unstoppable since then. His romantic ballads and catchy tunes have made him a household name in Ghana and beyond, earning him several nominations, awards and many top charting songs. His unique style of music blends afrobeats, highlife, and R&B to create a sound that is captivating music listeners.

E.L : The Versatile Rapper-Producer

E.L, also known as Lomi, is a multi-talented artist known for his versatility as a rapper, singer, and producer. His innovative sound and thought-provoking lyrics have earned him recognition not only in Ghana but also on the global stage and for every genre you know him for, he’s got a hit song for you. E.L played a vital role in the thriving of the Azonto music genre and his songs within that era especially earned him a fanbase that continues to support him.

King Promise: The Smooth Voice of Love

King Promise's smooth vocals and catchy tunes have made him a sensation in the highlife and afrobeats genres. His romantic ballads and performances have garnered him a dedicated fan base, making him one of Ghana's most beloved artists. King Promise's music embodies the spirit of contemporary highlife and he arguably has one of the best discographies of love songs in Ghana.

Gyakie: The Rising Songbird

Gyakie has taken the Afrobeats world by storm with her amazing voice and relatable lyrics. Her hit song "Forever" catapulted her to international recognition, making her a rising star in the music scene. Gyakie's ability to connect with listeners on a personal level sets her apart, and her global connections and collaborations keep expanding and spanning across a wide range of artists including Serge Ibaka, Major League DJz, AKA and more.