Ghanaian Afrobeats star Olivetheboy joins Nandi Madida via FaceTime on Apple Music 1 to talk about his latest single, “Bend (feat. Sarkodie).” He also discusses his EP, ‘Out of the Blue,’ what makes his hometown of Konongo so special, and how he navigates fame as a young musician.
This Week’s Hottest New Tracks
Nandi Madida shares the hottest new African tracks of the moment. This week’s selection includes new tracks from Davido feat. Victoria Monét, F3line, Rexxie & Rybeena, Murumba Pitch & Kelvin Momo, and Lebza TheVillain & Lady Amar feat. Basetsana.
Tune in and listen to the full episode this Friday, April 18th at 9a Lagos/London / 10a Johannesburg/Paris / 1a LA / 4a NYC on Apple Music 1 at apple.co/_AfricaNow and broadcast on YFM Accra every Sunday at 2pm, YFM Kumasi on Saturdays at 3pm and YFM Takoradi on Saturdays at 6pm.
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Olivetheboy Tells Apple Music About Working With Sarkodie on “Bend”
When I finished “Bend,” I was about to do a second verse and then thought of having someone on it. I don’t think anyone would’ve fit the song better than Sarkodie. He’s like, solid in that field. In Ghana, everyone knows that if you want a rapper on that kind of a song, don’t go anywhere—you have Sarkodie right there! When I talked to him, he already loved my vibe. He already knew stuff about me. So it was just easy to put him on. We did a couple more songs in the studio, too.
Olivetheboy Tells Apple Music About Being Nominated for Multiple Telecel Ghana Music Awards
Last year was three; now it’s five because yes, I’ve worked way better than last year. It just makes sense—it’s just the growth to me. I just love the fact that they appreciated and recognised the growth.
Olivetheboy Tells Apple Music About His Track, “Tattoo”
The thing about Tattoo is it’s that one song that took me days! Normally I don’t take days to write songs, but Tattoo is one song that took me two days to finish. Because after writing the chorus, I was like, nah, this is not the chorus. I want to get it right. So I had to sit down and write something else. So the whole composition, the whole everything about that song now amazes me. I love that song man.
Olivetheboy Tells Apple Music About the Talent Coming From Konogo
When talent comes from Konogo, you should not doubt them because the truth is, Konogo is a place of enjoyment. So if you have talent, you just get schooled without you knowing you’re being schooled! You can pass by somebody’s house, [and] they’re playing music—and there are a lot of clubs and places where they play music a lot. So if you’re somebody that has [music] in you, the brain actually catches all these melodies, and you become subconsciously trained to them. There’s music and festivals going on; it’s just that crazy.
Olivetheboy Tells Apple Music About Being Handling Fame at a Young Age
God does not give you something you’re not prepared for. He will definitely prepare you before you get there. I’m just ready, man. Let’s get it!