King Promise says Ghanaian music can go global without copying foreign sounds

• King Promise wants Ghanaian music to influence the world: The singer says local artistes should embrace their distinctive sounds rather than imitate foreign music in their pursuit of international success.

• He believes Ghanaian music can cross borders without losing its identity: Citing the global success of Despacito, he questioned why Ghanaian songs such as Terminator could not achieve similar recognition in countries such as Spain and Singapore.

• R2Bees and Nigerian stars inspire his global ambitions: King Promise credited R2Bees, Mr Eazi, Wizkid and Davido for influencing his outlook, while pointing to collaborations and partnerships, including his work with Chelsea Football Club, as part of his international strategy.

The 'Terminator' hitmaker said his perspective developed after a period of experimenting with music influenced by foreign styles. He eventually concluded that Ghanaian artistes should build on their unique strengths to stand out in the competitive global music industry.

Speaking on Joy FM’s 'Drive Time' with Lexis Bill on Tuesday, October 27, the singer explained that his ambition was to influence the international music scene with Ghanaian sounds rather than allow foreign trends to dictate his creative direction.

He said;

READ MORE: M.anifest reacts to free entry at concerts, urges industry to adopt a 'more sustainable model'

King Promise revealed that some of his earlier musical experiments were heavily influenced by sounds from outside Ghana, although he decided against releasing those recordings.

He explained;

He said he later recognised that Ghanaian music had distinctive qualities that could attract listeners across the world. In his view, local artistes should not abandon these strengths in an attempt to replicate what international musicians are already doing.

He asked;

READ MORE: ‘My marriage has not collapsed’ – Obinim sets conditions for reconciliation with Florence

To illustrate his point, the singer referenced Despacito, the Spanish-language hit that achieved international success, arguing that Ghanaian music could also cross borders without losing its cultural identity.

He said;

He added that remaining committed to his vision, even when success does not come immediately, was essential to his journey.

He said;

READ MORE: James Gardiner urges Ghanaians to intentionally support local films to boost the industry

King Promise also discussed the difficulty of creating music that appeals to Ghanaian listeners while connecting with audiences in other countries. He said finding a balance between the two markets had been an important part of his artistic development.

Songs such as Perfect Combi, Paris and Terminator, as well as the earlier release Tokyo, reflect his efforts to create music capable of resonating with listeners both at home and abroad.

The singer credited R2Bees with influencing his outlook on international success. He said he admired the group while he was in school, particularly for their ability to build a following in Ghana and among audiences in the diaspora.

He also acknowledged the impact of Nigerian artistes Mr Eazi, Wizkid and Davido, whose achievements have helped strengthen his belief that Ghanaian musicians can compete on the global stage.

MUST READ: US FBI fraud cases: Ghanaians who have lost mansions, luxury cars and other assets

For King Promise, expanding his reach involves more than releasing songs. He said collaborations and strategic partnerships, including his work with Chelsea Football Club, form part of his broader efforts to introduce his music to new audiences.

The Artiste of the Year winner maintained that his ultimate ambition is to secure greater international recognition for Ghanaian music while preserving the sound and identity that make it distinctive.