Breaking into Ghana’s music industry is difficult. For a young artist, having talent is only the beginning. There are songs to record, audiences to build, performances to secure and an industry to understand.
This is why working with an established musician can be an important experience for an upcoming artist. Black Sherif’s experience working with Sarkodie provides an interesting example of how relationships between established and emerging artists can influence the next generation of Ghanaian music.
Sarkodie has spent years building his career and understanding the different sides of the music business. Black Sherif, meanwhile, represents a younger generation of Ghanaian musicians who have grown up in an era dominated by streaming, social media and global music discovery.
When artists from these different generations interact, there can be more than just a song involved. There can be an exchange of experience.
Established Artists Have Something Young Musicians Need
An upcoming artist can learn a lot from watching someone who has already built a successful career. It is not only about learning how to make music.
There are lessons in how an established artist handles interviews, performances, collaborations, contracts, fans, branding and difficult periods in their career.
These are things that may not be taught in a recording studio. A young musician can have an excellent voice or write great lyrics and still make poor decisions because they do not understand the business around their talent. Experience can therefore be extremely valuable.
Collaboration Can Become a Learning Opportunity
When two artists work together, the younger musician can potentially learn simply by being part of the process.
- How does the established artist approach recording?
- How do they prepare for a verse?
- How do they communicate with producers?
- How do they think about the final product?
- How do they promote the song after it is released?
These details may seem small, but they can influence how an upcoming musician approaches their own career.
That is why collaborations should not always be judged only by the number of streams or views they generate. Sometimes the knowledge gained behind the scenes can be just as valuable.
Mentorship Does Not Mean Copying
There is an important difference between learning from an established artist and trying to become that artist. A young musician should be able to take useful lessons from a veteran while developing their own identity.
This is particularly important in Ghana’s music industry, where younger artists can easily be compared with established stars.
Black Sherif does not need to become another Sarkodie. The next generation should not try to recreate the careers of the musicians who came before them. They should learn from those careers and then build something of their own.
Ghana Needs More Industry Mentorship
The relationship between established and emerging musicians could be much more important to the future of Ghanaian music.
There are many young people trying to enter the industry, but not everyone has access to experienced professionals. A more structured mentorship culture could help bridge that gap.
Established musicians could share knowledge about:
- Recording and songwriting
- Contracts and music rights
- Royalties
- Performance negotiations
- Branding
- Social media
- International opportunities
- Financial management
- Working with record labels
- Handling public pressure
This knowledge can potentially prevent young artists from repeating mistakes that others have already made.
The Industry Should Not Only Celebrate Young Artists When They Become Successful
One problem with the music industry is that young musicians often receive significant attention only after they have already become successful.
By then, many of the difficult decisions have already been made. A stronger system would support talented musicians earlier. Radio stations, producers, managers, event organizers, established artists and music organizations can all play a role.
Even something as simple as giving an upcoming artist an opportunity to perform in front of a larger audience can make a difference.
Mentorship does not always have to involve a formal programme. Sometimes an introduction, a piece of advice or a genuine collaboration can open an important door.
Young Artists Also Have Responsibilities
Mentorship is not a one-way relationship. Upcoming musicians also need to take responsibility for their careers.
- They need to be willing to learn.
- They need to ask questions.
- They need to listen to constructive criticism.
They also need to understand that advice from an established artist is not a replacement for professional legal or financial guidance when those areas are involved. A mentor can share experience, but every artist still needs to make their own decisions.
Experience and New Ideas Can Work Together
There can sometimes be a perception that older and younger generations of Ghanaian musicians do not understand each other.
That does not have to be the case. Established artists understand the history of the industry and have experienced changes that younger musicians may only know from stories.
Younger artists, meanwhile, often have a stronger understanding of current digital culture and new ways of reaching audiences.
Combining both perspectives can be powerful. The veteran understands where the industry has been. The younger artist understands where parts of the audience are going. Both can learn from each other.
Mentorship Can Also Strengthen Ghanaian Music Internationally
If Ghana wants more artists to build successful international careers, industry knowledge will become increasingly important.
Breaking into another market requires more than releasing music online.
Artists need to understand international promotion, publishing, distribution, touring, branding and partnerships.
Established musicians who have already gained experience outside Ghana can help younger artists understand some of these challenges.
This could gradually create a stronger pipeline of musicians who are prepared for international opportunities.
Collaboration Should Go Beyond Big Names
Mentorship should not be limited to superstar collaborations.
A producer can mentor a young producer.
A songwriter can help another songwriter.
An experienced manager can advise a young manager.
A successful event organizer can give an upcoming artist an opportunity.
A veteran musician can introduce a younger artist to industry contacts.
The entire ecosystem becomes stronger when knowledge moves from one generation to another.
What Upcoming Artists Can Learn From Black Sherif’s Journey
Black Sherif’s rise itself offers another important lesson. An artist can begin with a distinctive story and sound, build an audience and gradually attract the attention of established industry players.
But the goal should not simply be to get a famous musician to notice you. The bigger goal is to use every opportunity to become better prepared for the next stage of your career.
If an upcoming artist gets the chance to work with an established musician, they should pay attention to the process, ask useful questions and understand what makes the collaboration successful. The opportunity may be worth much more than the publicity surrounding the song.
Ghana’s Next Generation Needs Both Opportunity and Guidance
Ghana has talented young musicians. The question is whether the industry can create enough opportunities for those musicians to develop sustainably.
Talent competitions and viral moments can provide exposure, but long-term careers require education, mentorship, management and business knowledge.
Established musicians have an opportunity to contribute to that process. They do not need to give away everything they have learned. Even sharing a few important lessons can help someone avoid mistakes and make better decisions.
Final Thoughts
Black Sherif’s experience working with Sarkodie is a useful reminder that collaboration between generations can have value beyond music.
A song may last a few minutes, but the knowledge gained during the process can influence an artist’s career for years. Ghanaian music has already produced several successful generations. The next step should be making sure those generations are connected.
The future of Ghanaian music will not only be shaped by the next big hit. It will also be shaped by how well today’s successful artists help prepare the musicians who come after them.
