Ghanaian rapper Maccasio has asserted that numerous Accra-based artistes would find it difficult to achieve the same success Northern musicians have in drawing large crowds.

In an interview with MX24 TV on February 20, 2026, he remarked that roughly half of the artistes in Accra are unable to stage events on the scale of those organised by their counterparts from the Northern Region.

“I can boldly say that 50% of the artistes in Accra cannot do the kind of shows that we’re doing. When they rank us, they might put them on top of us, but whenever we do shows in Accra at a place like Bukom Arena, we fill the arena and they don’t talk about it,” he said.

According to him, despite their ability to pull large crowds even in Accra, Northern artistes receive little media recognition compared to their counterparts in the capital.

“I think we need to strategize and pay the media to recognize us. We had wanted the media in Accra to also take us as part of the Ghanaian artistes. They see us as just Northern artistes,” he shared.

Maccasio also claimed that the media frequently neglects to promote events outside Accra, yet gives extensive attention to artists based in the city.

He disclosed that his team is preparing another large-scale show later this year, expressing confidence that they will once again attract huge audiences.

“Whenever we play shows in Accra, the media don’t support us, but when it’s artistes from Accra, they go all out. We also deserve some attention. We are planning to do another show this year,” he added.

In 2023, rapper Amerado, born Derrick Sarfo Kantanka, opened up about his struggles to secure shows in Ghana, emphasizing that he shouldn't be pressed by fans to perform at the O2 Arena.

Recently, there has been a growing debate among music enthusiasts in Ghana about the contrasting success of Nigerian and Ghanaian musicians. Nigerian young artists are reportedly filling stadiums internationally, while similar achievements are not as evident among even prominent Ghanaian artists.

Addressing this matter on United Television in Accra, Amerado asserted that Ghanaian artists could indeed gather a large audience at venues like the O2 Arena. However, he pointed out that the lack of comparable support for Ghanaian artists, unlike their Nigerian counterparts, renders the comparison moot.

According to Amerado, if the necessary backing and support were provided, Ghanaian artists would have the potential to attract significant crowds wherever they perform.

“In Ghana, we are thinking of pushing one artiste out and promoting a new one. You’ll produce a hit song, and it will last for one week. The music lovers here have a problem with every artiste. They say Fameye produces funeral songs, and when Black Sherif came, they said he shouts too much. How will the artiste be motivated?

"We need support to be able to do some of these things. Have you checked the numbers when we organize shows in the country? A Ghanaian will rather go to a wedding or funeral than come to a show because they will give them food at the wedding and funeral.”

“We as artists are struggling, so we can’t also carry the burden of filling the O2 arena. We are not even getting shows to perform at in Ghana let alone International gigs. How many shows did I perform on in December to think of filling the O2 arena?” he said.

In 2024, the CEO of Ghana Music Awards UK, Nii Ofori Tackie, popularly known as Alordia forecasted that it will take approximately two years for a Ghanaian artist to achieve a sell-out performance at the prestigious O2 Arena in the United Kingdom.

This projection followed the resounding success of the Indigo O2 concert headlined by Ghanaian rapper Medikal on May 3, 2024.

The event, which boasted a stellar lineup including Shatta Wale, Sarkodie, and Bisa Kdei, sold out to enthusiastic fans.

Further affirming this trend, the subsequent sold-out Legends Night concert featuring Highlife legend Daddy Lumba, alongside Shatta Wale and Medikal, highlighted the growing prominence of Ghanaian music on the global stage.

During an interview on Joy Prime on May 7, Alordia emphasized the need for sustained promotion over the next one to two years to build a dedicated Ghanaian audience for such high-profile shows.

He noted that while Ghanaian artists attract moderate attendance, Nigerian counterparts often draw larger crowds due to their broader appeal across African and Caribbean audiences.

Alordia outlined the necessity for Ghanaian artists to expand their reach internationally, citing the example of Nigerian musicians who attract fans from diverse backgrounds familiar with their music.

He emphasized the importance of penetrating foreign markets to fill venues like the O2 Arena with enthusiastic supporters.

“We can do the O2 Arena, but we need another one and a half to two more years to do it. The reason is that Ghanaians come out for shows, but they don't come out that much.

“When Nigerian artistes are doing their shows, we get fans from other African countries like South Africa, Jamaica, Nigeria, Ghana, and Zimbabwe, all going to support them because their music cuts across those countries. They know the songs. So as soon as they hear Wizkid is coming, they know Wizkid's songs, so, they will go," he said.

In essence, Alordia's vision entails bridging cultural boundaries and leveraging global interest in African music to propel Ghanaian artists towards achieving monumental success on an international scale.