No pressure, I’m banking my hopes on God’s timing – Bogo Blay

When Hiplife artiste Bogo Blay was crowned winner of Vodafone Icons, Rep Ur Hood Edition, in 2018, he thought his journey of breaking into the mainstream music scene was guaranteed.

Winning such a prestigious competition, which had set in motion the careers of music greats such as Wiyaala, was the launch pad he had always been waiting for.

Yet, as the months rolled into years, Bogo Blay quickly realised that success in the music industry didn’t come on a silver platter. Instead, it required a carefully laid-out plan, perseverance and most importantly, patience.

Bogo Blay has remained steadfast in his pursuit of greatness. His goal is to become one of the most sought-after acts in the Ghanaian music industry, and he firmly believes that divine providence will guide him to the top.

Despite the challenges and delays, Bogo Blay is in no rush. He understands the importance of taking his time to hone his craft, perfect his sound and develop his new music style–high-beat rap.

Sharing his plan for the journey ahead in a chat with Daily Graphic, the Pam crooner disclosed he has been tirelessly making music and seeking collaborations with established artistes like Kuami Eugene and Amerado, among others.

According to him, he remains optimistic that he will eventually earn the recognition he deserves.

“I had hopes after I won the contest in 2018, but I couldn't tap into it because there was a little back and forth between me and my team back then, due to a slight delay in getting the prize package. So by the time we released our first single ZAM in 2019, the fire had simmered down.

“As for success in the mainstream, I'm not there yet. However, I think if I keep doing what I do best and connect with the right people or use the smallest chances I get, I'll be there in no time at all.

“I believe in God's time. Although I know success is almost here, I'm not under any pressure to achieve it. No pressure at all. Very soon, the world will hear about me. I don’t need to pressure myself because of industry expectations. I'll just keep working hard and stick to my originality. I know it will pay off soon by God's grace,” he said.

 Unique style

Initially, Bogo Blay burst onto the music scene with a style that blended rapping and singing in Twi with a non-Akan speaking accent. Although this creative approach generated some buzz, it didn't quite become his signature selling point.

When that style didn't yield the desired success, Bogo Blay knew he had to re-strategise to stay relevant in the industry. Leveraging his strengths as a high-beat rapper and singer, he is now seeing gradual success.

He told Daily Graphic, “My challenge has been support and acceptance of my craft from music lovers. But it’s getting better with time because people are now embracing my new style with love. We’re not backing down. Currently, I am working on a song that's dropping in the second week of September and my fans should expect nothing but the best,” he revealed.

Bogo Blay is actively leveraging social media platforms to amplify his presence, increase his visibility and build momentum.

Recognising the vital role these platforms play in supporting creatives, he is strategically utilising them to reach a broader audience, engage with fans and promote his music. He is at it, intending to maximise his online presence, foster a stronger connection with his audience and ultimately drive his career forward.

“I think social media counts a lot. And I'm now maximising my social media appearance and marketing so I can reach the world. I have groups where my management and I engage with some of my fans. I also try and engage with them via live videos”.

Awards

On his thoughts on awards, Bogo Blay held that while they can provide a level of recognition for artistes, they shouldn't be the sole benchmark for success.

He emphasised that instead of fixating on winning awards, the priority of every artiste should be to create timeless music.

“When artistes focus on crafting exceptional songs, they will organically earn the accolades and recognition they deserve. I believe this approach is the key to building a lasting legacy in the music industry instead of relying solely on awards as a benchmark for achievement.

“Winning an award is a good booster for an artiste's career but it does not entirely define the success of the artiste, neither does it endorse an artiste as hardworking. The best award any artiste can get is genuine love and support from fans and music lovers. However, when the award comes, Alhamdulillah, we will take them,” he added.

Bogo Blay

Bogo Blay, born David Dabran, hit the music scene after winning Vodafone Icons, Rep Ur Hood Edition, in 2018.

He is noted for songs such as Street, Zoom, Grateful, Serwaa and a drug abuse awareness single, Medicine, which became a viral sensation on TikTok and earned him a spot on the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA)'s drug abuse campaign soundtrack.

He released 24 in March this year and he is working on another single featuring Ras Kuuku, scheduled for release in September, and an EP/album set to drop before the end of the year.

While Bogo Blay is yet to fully captivate the world with his best works, his debut album, Wailing Monster, released in 2023, has already caught the attention of many music lovers.

The album features a unique blend of emotive sounds, touching lyrics and uplifting melodies, providing a well-rounded listening experience.

His impressive catalogue and content have earned him performance slots at prestigious events such as the Engineering Excellence Awards, TGMA Nominee Jams and COPO Awards, among others.