Ghanaian singer Gyakie has talked about the pressures of performing live.
She revealed that what once felt like pure joy on stage now often feels more like standing trial before an unforgiving audience of online critics.
In a recent interview, Gyakie explained that while music-making remains her passion, the growing culture of trolling has turned live shows into high-pressure spaces where artistes must constantly guard against ridicule.
“I mostly enjoy making music in the studio, but I also enjoy stage performances. My only problem with the stage is that with how everyone comes online to troll artistes, it’s made the stage feel like a courtroom.
“One has to be extra mindful of their conduct, because some troll is probably making a creepy video of you to use against you online. If I take that out, it’s always fun for me to be on stage,” she told Nigerian’s The Guardian.
She likened the stage to a “courtroom,” stressing that every misstep could be twisted online to embarrass or discredit performers.
She emphasised that performing live remains one of her greatest thrills whenever the negativity is pushed aside.
Gyakie further reflected on one of her most memorable career highlights, a December 2024 concert in Sierra Leone.
She described the experience as unexpectedly emotional, moved by the way the audience embraced her music.
“I went to perform in Sierra Leone last December and the reception was so amazing. I didn’t expect that they would sing most of my catalogue word for word. Every single day was full of genuine love,” she recalled.
