Ghanaian singer Ladsmid Nathaniel Owusu, popularly known as Lasmid, has stirred fresh controversy after claiming that Ghana played a major role in the success of many Nigerian hit songs.
Speaking in a recent interview with Hip TV, the Bad Boy crooner argued that most Afrobeats songs become popular in Ghana before gaining traction in Nigeria, insisting that Ghanaian fans have always been among the earliest supporters of Nigerian music.
“We love Nigerians so much, even more than ourselves. If a Nigerian drops a song, it will first blow in Ghana before it blows in Nigeria. Most Nigerian songs blew in Ghana before blowing back home.
The song ‘Who’s Your Guy’ by Spyro blew in Ghana before Nigeria. The song was very big in Ghana before Nigerians caught the wave. The love Ghana has for Nigeria has always been there,” Lasmid said.
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The singer’s statement has reignited the Ghana vs Naija music rivalry, with fans from both sides debating the influence of Ghana’s music scene on Afrobeats.
While some Ghanaians agreed with Lasmid’s claims, many Nigerians dismissed them, crediting Nigeria’s global dominance and creative innovation for the genre’s growth.
Lasmid’s remarks echo similar sentiments once shared by Nigerian artist Mr Eazi, who in 2017 claimed that Ghanaian sounds heavily influenced modern Afrobeats.
Mr Eazi faced significant backlash from Nigerian fans at the time, with many accusing him of downplaying Nigeria’s contribution to the genre’s global rise.
The debate between the two West African music powerhouses has persisted for years, with both nations boasting a rich history of cultural exchange and collaboration.
While Ghana is credited with pioneering Highlife, a sound that shaped early African pop, Nigeria evolved that foundation into today’s globally recognised Afrobeats movement.
Nigerian artists like Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, and Rema have headlined major stages in Ghana, while Ghanaian acts such as Sarkodie, Stonebwoy, Black Sherif, and King Promise continue to enjoy loyal Nigerian fan bases.
