Ghanaian reggae dancehall recording artist and creative director, Theophilus Nii Arday Otoo, popularly known as Epixode, has shared how he received backlash and threats after releasing his song “Wahala Dey.”
“Wahala Dey” explores the complexities of Ghana’s economy, government contract sales, and social constraints placed on celebrities. It also addresses corruption and denounces the commercialization of churches.
Released in 2019, the song laments the disappearance of the Takoradi girls and honors Ghana’s struggle for independence, which was started by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. The song challenges the current status of Ghana’s freedom and the legacy of the country’s first president through his music.
He claimed that threats took the form of phone calls and physical assaults, and they originated from several sources.
The musician claimed that because of the message the song expressed, he occasionally had to cease his live concerts suddenly.
“When we dropped ‘Wahala Dey’, I was getting threats and phone calls. There were events where I was on stage and they were asking me to stop performing, so I had to lay low for a while. I may be the one in front, but the family may suffer for what I’m doing. Even though it’s a lonely road to trot. Yes, I’ve lost a few things, but it has also given me a certain type of respect and the power to be different from the rest of the artists,” he said.
Source: Ghana/MaxTV/MaxFM/max.com.gh/Belinda Quansah
