Ghanaian musician, Byno Ayoni, the winner of Mentor 12, has disclosed some challenges he has faced in his music career.
The musician who lives with albinism has said that society’s misconception about the condition has caused him a lot of deals as a musician.
He noted that in pursuit of his dream to get into the limelight of the music industry, he had attended several auditions for bigger music business opportunities but the outcomes had usually been unsuccessful.
“I have been to a couple of auditions, done very well, gone back the next day, and got the response that I did not look marketable enough because I am an albino. My looks alone is not the excuse.
“They said I did not look marketable and then they would say because of the problem with the eyes of albinos, I would not be able to perform [at night] but then I would go for auditions and I would perform and they would say it’s good, ask me to come tomorrow. I would go and they will tell me to come another day all because of who I am.”
Byno Ayoni
Byno, however, noted that as more people are beginning to appreciate his talent more, the stigmatization associated with his condition is waning.
Extolling the confidence he has in his talent regardless of his condition, he expressed pride in winning the ultimate prize in Season 12 of TV3’s Mentor reality show.
Signed to Edem Goget’em’s Volta Regime Music Group, he has songs such as ‘I Dey Like’ and other collaborative works with Edem.
Albinism continues to be one of the dangerous stereotypes of the African society. Various misconceptions about people living with the condition have caused a lot of discrimination against albinos.
In extreme cases, some are kidnapped and murdered because some traditional cultures in Africa see the condition as a bad omen.
In the creative industry, one person who suffered stigmatization as an albino in his own community in Mali, yet brazened it out to become a successful musician in the world, is Salif Keita.
He got ostracised from his community and traveled to Cote d’Ivoire, Paris, London, and New York, where he had more freedom and the opportunity to express his artistic potential.
After gaining fame, he returned to his country and was well-accepted but he would not rest on his oars as he established the Salif Keita Global Foundation which enabled him to campaign against the stigma attached to albinism.
Ghana’s Byno Ayoni’s thoughts about the injustices against albinos are in tandem with Keita’s. He intends to use his current status and influence to drum home the inclusivity of his race in all activities in society.
In the meantime, he is out with his latest musical piece, ‘Stand Firm’, a joint project with his boss, Edem.
Musician Dicloses Misconceptions of Albinos
Byno Ayoni shed light on the numerous misconceptions and challenges faced by individuals living with albinism.
The musician, whose real name is John Alatevie, disclosed that many people hold weird beliefs about individuals with albinism, such as the notion that they do not die, and so on.
Touching on these misconceptions, Byno has recounted other shocking instances where he had to flee from kidnappers seeking to use him for ritual purposes.
“There are some people who believe we don’t die. How can you be born and not die? And then some people believe that our body parts are gold. That’s what people say. And it subjects my kind to a lot of issues.
“I myself had to deal with fleeing from people chasing me to kidnap me about two or more times. I was still in Aflao at the time.”
Byno Ayoni
Byno also addressed the popular notion that people with albinism have poor vision and are incapable of performing tasks that others can.
“It is not that we are blind or can’t see at all. Our vision is not as good as ‘normal’ people. I think it’s a medical condition that can be enhanced.”
Byno Ayoni
Speaking further, Byno stated that, against all odds, he is determined to use his platform to advocate for others in similar situations. “When I am on stage, I carry the burden of my people on my shoulders. It has never happened for someone like me to win a major competition in Ghana,” he said.
The TV3 Mentor season 12 contestant emphasized that he will not allow the views of others to deter him from pursuing his passion for music.
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