Award-winning Ghanaian highlife musician and songwriter, Gladstorm Kwabena Akwaboah Jnr, popularly known as Akwaboah, has opened up about how he learned to manage social media trolls in the entertainment industry.
Speaking in an interview with Roselyn Felli on Joy Prime’s Changes show, Akwaboah disclosed that it was none other than his former label boss, Sarkodie, who guided him on how to cope with online criticism.
Akwaboah recounted how Sarkodie’s experience with trolls after his collaboration with American rapper Ace Hood became a teaching moment for him.
“I was really upset and asked why there was so much backlash. Sark just told me, ‘Welcome to the world; this is exactly what you’re going to see once you’re up there, and this is how you must answer or respond,’” Akwaboah shared.
According to him, while his father—legendary highlife musician Akwaboah Snr.—mentored him in several aspects of the industry, he often reacted angrily to critics. Sarkodie, however, taught him the importance of self-control in the digital age.
Akwaboah admitted that although he has learned to ignore most of the negativity, some of it still gets to him.
“At the end of the day, I’m human, but I’ve learned to control myself,” he added.
