Ghanaian traditional music icon Sherifa Gunu has expressed concern over the growing number of artistes who abandon their cultural identity in pursuit of quick fame.

Speaking in an interview with Graphic Showbiz, the singer, known for her rich blend of tradition and rhythm, cautioned upcoming acts against blindly chasing fleeting music trends, which she likened to “fast food” music.

“I don’t and never follow trends, and the result is timeless music,” she said. “So I want to entreat our artistes, especially the budding ones, to be themselves as Ghanaians.”

Sherifa believes many of today’s musicians risk fading out quickly because they compromise authenticity for temporary attention.

“Unfortunately, it appears many of our artistes forget where they come from just to gain quick fame. But look at legends such as Osibisa, Amakye Dede, and Angelique Kidjo—they stayed authentic and still made history. All I want them to know is that, if you copy too much, you’ll disappear,” she stressed.

Since breaking into the spotlight in 1998 after placing second in the popular Embassy Pleasure national dance competition, Sherifa Gunu has remained a strong advocate for Ghanaian identity in music. Her notable works include albums like Dagbon, Akwaaba Wo Africa, African Woman, and Salamatu.

Reflecting on her own journey, she didn’t shy away from addressing the struggles women face in the industry, especially those who don’t fit into typical beauty standards.

“I have faced many challenges, including being overlooked when it comes to performing at major shows and being pressured to focus on appearance more than my talent,” she revealed.

She added that the industry has not been fair to women: “Event organisers hardly feature us, and some even expect us to sell our bodies before selling our music. So I never stop telling young female artistes to let their talent speak for them. It may take longer, but it lasts.”