Volta Region’s Music Scene Sees Growth, but Faces Mainstream Challenges

Jephthah Nana Adjei Osei - Mensah
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Volta Region’s Music Scene Sees Growth, but Faces Mainstream Challenges
3Music TV

The music landscape in Ghana’s Volta region is experiencing a notable transformation, as discussed by industry experts Selecta, Flexel, and Disc Master Bone during a compelling panel on 3Music TV’s Culture Daily. Selecta highlighted the region’s progress, emphasizing that the current music scene is robust enough to sustain hours of back-to-back Volta-produced tracks on radio, a stark contrast to earlier times when the region’s output was limited to traditional sounds. Pioneers like Frank Nero, Apolomandi, and Ezra Mawenta laid the foundation with culturally rich music, but today’s artistes, such as Chief One, Kenny Ice, Pesserboy, and Akbashi, are pushing boundaries with contemporary genres and high-quality music videos. This evolution reflects a growing creative ecosystem, with artistes investing in production standards to meet national and global expectations, as seen in Chief One’s visually appealing videos.
Despite this progress, the panel expressed frustration over the Volta region’s struggle for mainstream recognition, largely due to the Ghanaian music industry’s heavy focus on Accra. Flexel noted that historically, Volta’s music lacked commercialization, with secular artistes like Edem being rare exceptions who gained traction by operating from Accra. The panel pointed out that talents like Louisville, 4x4, and Mr. Eazi, all hailing from Volta, achieved success by aligning with the capital’s industry hub, underscoring the challenge for artistes who remain region-based. The lack of mainstream exposure is compounded by national award schemes that rarely scout beyond Greater Accra and Kumasi, leaving Volta’s artistes underrepresented. Selecta emphasized that artistes like Kenny Ice could fill stadiums, yet their achievements are often overlooked due to geographic biases, with mainstream gatekeepers dismissing Volta’s “numbers” or market appeal.
To address these challenges, the panel called for deliberate efforts to bridge the gap between Volta’s music scene and the national stage. They urged award organizers to actively seek out regional talents, suggesting that categories like Artist of the Year could include Volta stars like Chief One or Kenny Ice, who dominated 2024 with consistent releases, high-quality videos, and strong local performances. Flexel stressed the need for industry stakeholders to recognize the commercial viability of Volta’s artists, who are already drawing attention from mainstream acts seeking collaborations to tap into the region’s growing influence. The panel’s discussion underscored a broader need for inclusivity, advocating for platforms like 3Music TV to host events in Volta and for award schemes to redefine “mainstream” to encompass all regions, ensuring talents from Volta receive the spotlight they deserve.

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