Once basking in the radiant limelight of acclaim, Maya Blu, the erstwhile signatory to one of Ghana’s leading record labels, now traces her own path, wielding her truth like a scepter.
Conversing with Jacqueline Ansomah Yeboah, on the emerging YouTube sensation ‘BTS with Creatives’, the soulful voice behind ‘Good Girl No Dey Pay’ unravels her perspectives on the Ghanaian music landscape, her voyage with Lynx Entertainment, and her refusal to be ensnared by the lure of industry figures.
In an era where Afrobeats throb in every corner of the world, Maya Blu meditates on the future of highlife, Ghana’s own melodious offspring. Rather than heralding its end, she contemplates the world’s evolution, acknowledging that creativity often deviates from the lane of nostalgia.
As debates ensue over the preservation of highlife, she asserts, “everyone is doing what they do best, and we have to respect that”. The apparent shift, she suggests, doesn’t signify abandonment of roots but an adaptation to the heartbeats of the audience.
In 2024, Afrobeats reportedly amassed a staggering $100 million in global revenue, with a mere 2% returning to Nigeria, the genre’s global beacon. What portion of this wealth finds its way back to Ghana? Maya Blu offers us a glimpse into the complexity underlying these figures.
She elucidates the prevalence of assumptions in the industry, with many artists choosing to remain silent about their earnings. Yet, she affirms there are artists thriving in this vibrant industry, subtly urging us not to exclude Ghana from this narrative.
Having risen to fame through Lynx’s wave of new talent, Maya Blu often found herself labelled as ‘privileged’ or ‘lucky’. Yet, she emphasizes that privilege came with a price. Working tirelessly, she navigated the tightrope of industry pressures and the constant need to prove herself beyond the label’s endorsement.
In a world where artists’ worth is often measured in streams, charts, and viral hits, Maya Blu stands apart. Disregarding the metrics that define success for many, she chooses to immerse herself in the joy of her craft, forsaking the fixation with numbers.
Undeterred by her departure from Lynx, Maya Blu continues her journey with renewed determination. Her story forms a vibrant thread in the rich tapestry of ‘BTS with Creatives’, a series that illuminates the fervor, struggle, and spirit shaping Ghana’s music scene.
So, if you’ve perceived Maya Blu’s light as dimming, think again. She’s not merely continuing her journey; she’s redefining it, with her hands firmly on the steering wheel.
