Ghanaian highlife and rap icon Okyeame Kwame has shed light on the real reason behind the split of the legendary music duo Akyeame, which once dominated the Ghanaian music scene. Comprising Okyeame Kwame and Okyeame Kofi, the group captivated fans in the early 2000s with chart-topping hits and lyrical mastery until their unexpected breakup.
In a candid interview with media personality Kafui Dey on his YouTube show, Okyeame Kwame revealed that the group’s demise wasn’t due to personal conflict, but rather clashing ideologies on how to revive their brand after years of silence.
“The Akyeame dream had died, so we agreed to revive it,” Okyeame Kwame shared. “But Kofi and I had completely different ideas on how to bring it back.”
Scarcity vs. Frequency: The Ideological Clash
After spending about three years abroad and watching the Akyeame brand fade from Ghana’s music scene, the duo returned with plans to re-establish themselves. But while Okyeame Kwame believed in frequent appearances to rebuild public interest, Okyeame Kofi felt the group should remain exclusive and expensive to elevate their brand appeal.
“Kofi said, ‘Let’s make ourselves expensive to increase our value, but I said no, people barely remembered us. If we stayed scarce, no one would even come looking.” Okyeame Kwame recalled.
Okyeame Kwame was convinced that performing at smaller shows, such as Miss Poly, Miss IMS, or Miss KNUST, would restore Akyeame’s popularity. But Kofi disagreed, often turning down performance requests over low fees.
Going Solo Without Saying Goodbye
The internal tension escalated when performance offers began coming in, and only one of them was willing to take the stage.
“At the time, I was also broke, so when shows came in and Kofi didn’t want to perform, I started taking the gigs myself.” Okyeame Kwame admitted.
Under the guidance of their then-manager Earl Ankrah, the duo tried to work things out. However, Okyeame Kwame confessed that he failed to communicate his feelings and his decision to go solo.
“That’s where I went wrong,” he admitted. “I didn’t tell him I was upset with his approach or that I was going solo.”
A Painful Lesson, A New Chapter
The dissolution of Akyeame, though painful, paved the way for Okyeame Kwame’s remarkable solo career one that has earned him critical acclaim, national awards, and a reputation as one of Ghana’s most consistent music brands. Still, he looks back at the split with honesty and reflection.
“We didn’t break up because we hated each other,” he emphasised. “We just couldn’t agree on how to move forward.”
Watch the full interview below:
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Story by Kelvin B. Annor-Yeboah | univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Kelvin B. Annor-Yeboah
