“I Sing for Survival, Not Money” — Amerado Opens Up on His Struggles

Ghanaian rapper Amerado has opened up about his personal growth, academic journey, struggles in the music industry and the experiences that have shaped his identity as an artiste.

Speaking during a conversation with the Culture Daily squad, where he joined hosts C-Real, Lerny, Esi and Aimee, Amerado offered an honest look into his life beyond music.

The rapper, who is currently in his final year at university, reflected on his early days as a student and admitted that his Level 100 experience was particularly difficult because he had not yet learned how to navigate authority.

“Level 100 was hectic because I didn’t understand authority,” Amerado said.

According to him, university has been a humbling experience regardless of his status as a successful musician. He explained that being a star outside the university does not exempt him from the realities of being a student.

“Even if you’re a star, you enter University of Ghana and become a student,” he noted.

Amerado also spoke about his academic performance, dismissing the idea that his music career has come at the expense of his education.

“I don’t have a trail, my worst grade in school is a D+,” he revealed.

Beyond academics, the rapper reflected on how his personality has evolved over the years. He explained that while he used to be more free-spirited, his experiences have made him more deliberate and conscious about his actions.

“I’m not too free-spirited now, I’m more conscious,” he said.

Amerado also opened up about the emotional realities behind his music and career. He revealed that music is much more than a financial pursuit for him, describing it as something deeply connected to his survival.

“I don’t sing for money, I sing for survival,” he stated.

The rapper admitted that his journey in the Ghanaian music industry has not been easy, particularly because he believes people often misunderstand him.

“I’ve suffered a lot in this industry simply because people do not understand me,” Amerado said.

Despite the difficulties, he described pain as an important part of his creative process.

“I thrive on pain,” he revealed.

Amerado further disclosed that he has carried significant family responsibilities from a young age, revealing that he became the breadwinner for his family at just 14.

“I’ve been the breadwinner for my family since 14,” he said.

His commitment to music has also remained constant. Amerado revealed that he has a home studio where he records regularly, allowing him to continuously create and experiment with music.

“I have a home studio, I record music every day,” he disclosed.

The conversation offered a deeper perspective on Amerado, highlighting the balance he continues to maintain between being a university student, a recording artiste and someone who has shouldered family responsibilities from a very young age.

His reflections also show the experiences behind the music, an artiste who has navigated pain, pressure, misunderstanding and responsibility while continuing to pursue his craft.