DopeNation Reveals The Sacrifices Behind International Success

DopeNation have opened up about their international tours, saying it demands significant physical and financial sacrifice. 

They described the experience as “suffering from success,” noting that the polished image of their shows masks a grueling reality of independent touring.

They revealed this during an interview on 3Music TV and Pluzz 89.9 FM’s Culture Daily Show. 

The pair said that they often self-fund travel and logistics for a team of six, including costly intra-European flights. To cover multiple cities, they have sometimes had to split the group. 

“There were certain times we had to use our own monies a lot, like the Afronation,” they recounted. 

“Tickets in Europe is not that expensive as in from Africa to Europe but within Europe is either $200 to like $400 depending on how early you book your ticket and we were six. It got to a point where we had to split. Some of us go perform in London and come back, Scotland and come back. We had to split.”

One member, B2 suffered a serious infection from a faulty hotel air conditioner in Italy and required emergency tonsillectomy surgery just days before a major performance. He returned to the road almost immediately to honor commitments.

“B2 went to sleep by the faulty AC and a bacteria went into him. It was crazy, I hadn't eaten for 5 days and we had a show the next day. And he had to go to the hospital for surgery before the next show. It was crazy,” they noted. 

Their road discipline was forged earlier through years of touring more than 200 high schools across Ghana, often driving themselves to venues. 

DopeNation says pioneering the Ghana Piano sound requires extreme endurance, constant adaptation, and unwavering belief in their vision amid limited systemic support.