UK-based Ghanaian music superstar Fuse ODG has opened up about whether he feels bothered by the lack of recognition for his immense contributions to the global Afrobeats movement.
In an exclusive interview with NY DJ on Y102.5FM, the musician, who recently released the Spirit of New Africa album in an honest and reflective response, admitted that, on a human level, the lack of due credit can be frustrating.
“A thousand percent. As a human being, everybody will be bothered that you’re not being recognized for the hard work and the foundation you put in place for everything to work,” he said.
However, he was quick to point out that his mission goes far beyond personal accolades.
“As someone who knows that he has a bigger purpose than what other human beings will say, you just have to get on with it because we are not done yet. Eventually, you’ll see who the real contributor is,” he added.
The multiple MOBO Award-winning artiste emphasized the importance of telling the African story truthfully and intentionally, revealing that he and his team are already taking deliberate steps to ensure history reflects his role accurately.
“Sometimes the biggest contributors don’t get their credit, but for me, the bigger purpose is that we want to take over the world with our music and also for the world to understand how powerful Africans are through the music,” he explained.
Fuse ODG, who played a pivotal role in popularizing Afrobeats internationally in the early 2010s, acknowledged that while he has been “one of the main contributors as to why Afrobeats is where it is today”, the credit has not matched his input.
Still, he remains unfazed, viewing the journey as a long-term mission rather than a quick race for recognition.
“It’s a marathon. Eventually, the world will get to know. You can’t get lost in a short-term false narrative. You have to focus on what your mission is,” he concluded.
Fuse ODG’s resilience and focus on the bigger picture highlight a broader truth in the entertainment industry, sometimes, the most significant contributors work quietly, allowing their impact to speak louder than any accolades.
Since the release of his debut album, Fuse ODG has been deliberate in telling the African story. His new album, Spirit of New Africa, is no different, with tracks such as 54 Countries, Sundiata and many others.
According to Fuse ODG, the purpose of the new album is for Africans to reclaim who they are.
“The main purpose of this new album is for us to reclaim who we are. Through the music, I want to remind our people how powerful we are. If we know how powerful we are, we will be able to use our energies to rebuild our countries,” he added.
