UK-based Ghanaian music superstar Fuse ODG has opened up about whether he feels bothered by the lack of recognition for his immense contributions to the global Afrobeats movement.
In an exclusive interview, the musician, who recently released the ‘Spirit of New Africa’ album in an honest and reflective response, admitted that the lack of due credit can be frustrating.
“A thousand per cent. As a human being, everybody will be bothered that you’re not being recognized for the hard work and the foundation you put in place for everything to work.”
Fuse ODG
However, he was quick to point out that his mission goes far beyond personal accolades. “As someone who knows that he has a bigger purpose than what other human beings will say, you just have to get on with it because we are not done yet. Eventually, you’ll see who the real contributor is,” he added.
The multiple MOBO Award-winning artist emphasized the importance of telling the African story truthfully and intentionally, revealing that he and his team are already taking deliberate steps to ensure history reflects his role accurately.
“Sometimes the biggest contributors don’t get their credit, but for me, the bigger purpose is that we want to take over the world with our music and also for the world to understand how powerful Africans are through the music.”
Fuse ODG
The ‘Antenna’ hitmaker, who played a pivotal role in popularizing Afrobeats internationally in the early 2010s, acknowledged that while he has been “one of the main contributors as to why Afrobeats is where it is today”, the credit has not matched his input.
Still, he remains unfazed, viewing the journey as a long-term mission rather than a quick race for recognition.
“It’s a marathon. Eventually, the world will get to know. You can’t get lost in a short-term false narrative. You have to focus on what your mission is.”
Fuse ODG
His resilience and focus on the bigger picture highlight a broader truth in the entertainment industry — sometimes, the most significant contributors work quietly, allowing their impact to speak louder than any accolades.
Since the release of his debut album, the artist has been deliberate in telling the African story. His new album, ‘Spirit of New Africa’, is no different, with tracks such as 54 Countries, Sundiata, and many others.
According to the ‘Azonto’ hitmaker, the purpose of the new album is for Africans to reclaim who they are.
“The main purpose of this new album is for us to reclaim who we are. Through the music, I want to remind our people how powerful we are. If we know how powerful we are, we will be able to use our energies to rebuild our countries.”
Fuse ODG
Shopsydoo Declares Fuse ODG Afrobeats Icon
Renowned host of the famous Afrobeats Podcast, Adesope Olajide, widely known as Shopsydoo, reignited the conversation around the legacy of Ghanaian icon.
In a recent commentary, Shopsydoo argues for why the UK-based Ghanaian star deserves a more prominent place in Afrobeats history. He stressed that Fuse ODG’s instrumental role in breaking down international barriers for Afrobeats has often been overlooked.
Shopsydoo asserted that while household names like Burna Boy, Davido, and Wizkid are rightly celebrated, Fuse ODG’s contributions were monumental in paving the way for the Afrobeats’ current global success.
He highlighted the artist’s groundbreaking achievements, including being the first Afrobeats artist to embark on an official headline tour across the UK, with stops in major cities like Newcastle and Glasgow. “Fuse ODG never gets his credit,” Olajide said. “He was on the MOBOs, performing on live television, was on the BBC, and all that. This brother shut it down.”
Beyond his solo accomplishments, the renowned host pointed to Fuse ODG’s collaborative history, which includes a notable arena tour with global superstar Ed Sheeran. He also underscored the artist’s pivotal role in introducing the “Azonto” wave to the world alongside the iconic Ghanaian producer Killbeatz.
However, Shopsydoo suggested that the “Antenna” hitmaker’s monumental run may have been cut short due to several factors. The first, he noted, was the apparent separation of Fuse ODG and Killbeatz, which may have impacted the momentum of their creative partnership.
Additionally, he cited Fuse ODG’s strong Pan-Africanist stance and vocal political criticisms as potential reasons for his career’s trajectory. “He criticized Bob Geldof for the Band Aid song, so that’s grounds for blacklisting. So these could be the reasons we saw his run short,” Shopsydoo explained.
Fuse ODG’s critiques of the Band Aid project are well-documented. He famously declined to be a part of the 2014 rendition of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” due to concerns about the song’s lyrics and the perpetuation of negative stereotypes about Africa.
He argued that such projects “dehumanise Africans and destroy our pride and identity in the name of ‘charity.’”
Olajide noted by emphasising that Fuse ODG’s quiet demeanour and the tendency of some Ghanaians to be “very calm” about their successes have contributed to the lack of recognition he receives, but the statistics and his lasting impact on the Afrobeats landscape speak for themselves.
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