The question of whether one would choose to be a nobody in America rather than a star in Africa has been a challenging one for Ghana-born, US-based musician, Anthony Rison Enyie Okai, known as Rison.
According to him, it was a question posed by a brother concerning the fact that he started his music career in America with Rhythm and Blues (R&B), which is an American genre of music.
In a conversation with KMJ on Prime Morning, the musician stated that the question has been a challenge thrown at him, thus he is working harder to make a difference.
He said, "When I started, it was more R&B, and I was trying to get into it. It was very hard because I wasn’t born there. So, my brother said something to me in 2014. He asked, "Would you rather be a Wizkid of Africa or a nobody in America?
Replying to the question, he said, "But I’ll still be somebody in America." To prove his answer, the artiste has been working towards changing the ideology.
Speaking on how artistes can use dual citizenship to their advantage, he admitted that it has given him a lot of opportunities as he travels to and fro countries without a visa.
But in terms of music, he thinks it is about the value and relevance of the music and not the location of the artiste.
Considering the challenges he has been through during the early stages, he admitted that "music is a patient game."
To break through the music industry, Rison indicated that "it is about who you know; talent is just a small part of it." He said one needs to "pay your dues in order to get there".
The singer, who is also a writer, has released a new song titled "Nobody," which can be accessed on all music platforms.
The question still remains: "Would you prefer to be a nobody in America or a Wizkid of Africa?"
Latest Stories
-
Cargill provide Agro-Processing Equipment to Women in Cocoa-growing Communities
18 minutes -
Cabinet approves Mahama Cares Bill
31 minutes -
NYA CEO Osman Ayariga reaffirms government’s commitment to youth empowerment
39 minutes -
Galamsey: No justification can excuse the extent of the destruction – Rev. Fr. Quaicoe
50 minutes -
Gov’t officials involved in galamsey will face full force of the law – Shamima Muslim reiterates
55 minutes -
Early presidential primaries isn’t new to NPP – Osae-Kwapong
1 hour -
Academic City renews galamsey dialogue with call for action and innovation
1 hour -
Scars of Hooliganism: How hooligans left Mercy Tagoe with a bloody nose
1 hour -
IGP has impounded over 1,200 excavators as gov’t steps up galamsey fight – Shamima Muslim
1 hour -
Academic City, Northeastern University to boost local medical device innovation
1 hour -
Nyaho-Tamakloe flaws NPP’s leadership choice of early flagbearer election
2 hours -
Author of ‘Honeymoon Hotel’ seeks injunction to halt stage adaptation
2 hours -
Galamsey fight: Apologise to Ghanaians for deceit – Haruna Mohammed to Mahama gov’t
2 hours -
I am not happy with how Mahama is dealing with galamsey – Prof Bokpin
2 hours -
The stirring you can’t ignore: 3 signs God is calling you into more
2 hours