Flexibility unlocks fresh sounds —Yng Bartels on music industry
FOR rising musician, Yng Bartels, although the Ghanaian music industry is not perfect, it has changed a lot in recent years and this shift represents goodies including a world of opportunity.
He sees the industry more flexible, allowing new voices and sounds to emerge and reach audiences eager for fresh music.
“In my opinion, the industry is doing well. It’s much more flexible now than it was a few years ago. Artistes can experiment with different sounds, genres and styles without being confined to one lane, and that’s what excites me the most.
“Yes, the industry isn’t perfect and still faces challenges, but it's evolving and with time and creativity, I truly believe it will continue to improve. You can hear this in the rise of genres like Trap, where Ghanaian artistes blend traditional “Yes, the industry isn’t perfect and still faces challenges, but it's evolving and with time and creativity, I truly believe it will continue to improve. You can hear this in the rise of genres like Trap, where Ghanaian artistes blend traditional Highlife melodies with modern beats adding strong bass and quick drum sounds to create music that feels both new and still connected to our roots”, he told the Graphic Showbiz in an interview on Monday, April 6.
For Yng Bartels, born, Bright Osei Owusu, the versatility in the music industry isn’t just about business; it’s also personal. After taking a break from music to gain clarity and focus, he sees the current state of the industry as an encouraging environment for his comeback.
He marked his comeback with a two-track tape, Right Before The Rise, released on April 3, saying his music now reflects his true self.
“Sometime ago, I mostly made music on other people’s terms, but now my sound truly reflects who I am. If you hear my music anywhere, it’s like meeting me in person,” he shared.
Commenting on new ways artistes reach fans, the Hip-Hop, Highlife, Afrobeat and Trap artiste said artistes today rely heavily on streaming platforms and social media.
“These tools allow artistes to connect with fans, share new music and build momentum. They have become essential for measuring reactions, testing new sounds and reaching audiences beyond traditional channels.
“Personally, I’ve had to step far out of my comfort zone because I’ve never been the type to seek the camera. But since releasing my tape, I’ve been very active on social media and the reactions and engagement have been incredibly motivating.
“The streaming numbers are pushing me to work even harder and honestly, I didn’t expect such a response after such a long three- year hiatus. Social media and streaming have proven to be powerful tools for artistes like me,” he said.
