Fuse ODG: I want to change Africans’ mentality

Since coming into the limelight, UK-based Ghanaian Afrobeat artiste, Fuse ODG, has not shied away from his African roots.

His love and passion for telling a positive African story is what birthed his TINA (This is New Africa) Movement and he has been promoting that through his music videos and clothes.

As part of pushing the African agenda, he held the maiden edition of the TINA Festival which ran from Wednesday, January 2, to Friday, January 4, an event that encompassed a conference and a big concert.

The likes of UK artistes, Stefflon Don and Lethal Bizzle, Sarkodie, Kuami Eugene, Joey B and KiDi performed at the event which came off at the Fantasy Dome in Accra.

Speaking about the TINA project to the Daily Graphic on Thursday, Fuse ODG real name,Nana Richard Abiona, said his motivation was to change the perception of Africans and develop love for Africa.

“The TINA project is to create an avenue to change the mindset of Africans to believe in themselves and their continent. As such, I want to see an Africa whose people are united with a common goal for development, as well as proud of their culture,” he said.

The Antenna singer also cited that his school at Akosombo is taking the lead in his campaign by nurturing the children to be proud of their roots.

“I am using the school to help build a new nation by changing people’s mentality. These kids are trained to know that our history does not start from slavery but they are kings and queens with enviable royalty,” he noted.

Fuse ODG indicated how happy he was to see the positive impact his campaign was having not just on Ghanaians but people of African descent across the world.

Fuse burst onto the music scene in 2013 when he released his first single, Azonto.

He is known for other songs such as Antenna, Million Pound Girl, Thinking About You, New African Girl among others.

He has collaborated with top notch artistes such as Ed Sheeran, Sarkodie and R2Bees, as well as Nigeria’s Tiwa Savage.