The Nigeria versus Ghana rivalry is one of Africa’s most iconic country rivalries. This is because of how interesting these banters can get most of the time with creative jabs from each end. Nigeria, however, wins almost all the time and most recently we thrashed Ghana in the last Jollof derby football match. So, it’s safe to say we now own the best Jollof in Africa, Senegal can take a seat behind Ghana. I believe it also gives us the chance to “borrow” some of their artists for the “Afrobeats to the World” movement as we also “possessed” Amapiano from the South.
We had the Jollof Derby with Ghana at the world cup qualifiers, Oil corruption Derby with Angola at the AFCON quarter finals, Amapiano derby with South Africa and came out top.
The purpose of this is quite lighthearted, I love my Ghanaian brothers. One would think this rivalry is borne out of having several differences when in fact, it’s the opposite. We are so similar in many ways that they are the only ones who sometimes stand a bit of a chance of dragging Nigerians online. South Africa usually can’t stand the heat when the oven gets heated. I think I am having too much fun with this (inserts laughing emoji).
Ghana is one of the close neighbors to Nigeria musically and geographically. Therefore, the cultural exchange in music, lifestyle, and fashion is quite inevitable. Over the years, Nigerian music has maintained the leading status in the Ghanaian music scene. This has caused some uproar in their industry, but the Gold Coast also has impacted the Nigerian music scene. Think Highlife and its origin down to the days of Azonto. However, I still think our Jollof is superior though. Ghana is a country full of talents and some of them have found a way to secure Nigerian nationalities by association through sound. You’d be surprised that some of the Artists highlighted in this article are not Nigerians.
Let’s delve into this list of Ghanaian artists who people think are Nigerians.
Ghanaian Artists who are Nigerians by Association.
Amaarae A.k.a Amarachi
The first time I listened to Amaarae in 2018, I never thought of looking up her biography until 2020 only to discover that my dear Amarachi is a Ghanaian. Imagine the shock other Nigerians faced when they recently found out that she is a Ghanaian artist. Well, some are still in denial and won’t accept that their Anambra sister is a Ghanaian. Some even go as far as using her as the prize for winning bets on football matches. If you are doubting, check this out.
Black Sherif
Mohammed Ismail Sherif sounds like a ready-made Nigerian name. Infact, this brother can shapeshift into many countries with it. With Blacko, his “nigerianization” came as a result of the Second Sermon remix with Burna. After Kweku the Traveller crossed borders into Nigeria and topped music charts, his Ghanaian passport was seized, and we declared him Nigerian. He was won back but recently “achieved” from the Ghanaians again as we won the Jollof derby football match.
King Promise
You mean to tell me that the “Terminator” hit crooner is not from Delta State? Quelle Surpise! He has hacked his way into the Nigerian music industry through collaborations with Nigerian artists and producers like Young Jonn, Mayorkun, Tiwa Savage and many more. Dear Ghanaians, you are not getting him back, I’m sorry. Thanks for your donations to humanity and music.
In conclusion, Ghanaian artists making waves and capturing the hearts of Nigerians is not a coincidence considering as mentioned earlier, we are sonically neighbors. It’s also quite interesting to see cross-cultural influences and similarities between both countries and I hope this unity is further fostered in the coming years.
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