Entertainment
Why Patience Nyarko got it wrong “attacking” Joe Mettle
I had the surprise of my life this weekend, when I heard a gospel musician, Patience Nyarko, expressing disaffection for the hype of a colleague, Joe Mettle.
From the nature of gospel music genre, and what goes into it, it should be the last place where an artiste would be embittered by the rise of a colleague.
It was really surprising for such words to come from a gospel artiste even if provoked to the highest degree.
A true gospel musician is called by God and he or she understands the ministry and as such, must be guided by the Holy Spirit when making utterances about the ministry.
Why should gospel artiste Patience Nyarko be irked by a radio presenter, OB Nartey’s assertion that “Joe Mettle is the only artiste with an international appeal.”
This claim was seconded on Onua FM’s “Anigye Mmre” entertainment programme by another Ghanaian promoter, Allordia, in the United Kingdom.
According to Allordia, “most local gospel musicians billed for shows in UK flop, with the exception of Joe Mettle”.
This did not go down well with the “Obi Nyane Me” hitmaker, who felt it was an insult to other gospel artistes in the country.
Against this backdrop, she “fired” Joe Mettle on the show when expressing her disappointment, saying, “Joe Mettle doesn’t deserve his hype and that he mostly sings existing hymns.”
For her, there were other amazing talents other than Joe Mettle who wrote their own songs and must enjoy the spotlight, adding that Joe Mettle, who had been around for over a decade had not reached where Ghanaians were trying to project him.
At best Patience Nyarko and other musicians should ask themselves what is making Joe Mettle attractive to international gigs and all the hype as well as what he puts in his songs.
It must be made clear that there is no problem with a gospel artiste singing existing songs or hymns, rather it is how one is able to move the crowd and make ‘annointing’ rain on the congregation.
One mark of a gospel artiste is how to make the Holy Spirit fill a room during performances among others, not whose song it is. Congregation concentrates on the anointing, not composers.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Award-winning Ghanaian musician, Wendy Asiamah Addo, known in showbiz circles as Wendy Shay, is poised for Artiste of the Year crown this year.
Through her hard work last year, the musician has earned about seven nominations for this year’s Telecel Ghana Music Awards.
Wendy Shay was nominated for Artiste of the Year, Album of the Year, Afrobeats Song of the Year, Afrobeats/Afropop Artiste of the Year, International Collaboration of the Year, Collaboration of the Year and Most Popular Song of the Year.
Speaking exclusively to her management, they said Wendy Shay last year graced over 40 shows, including her successful Shay Concert held at the West Hills Mall in Accra on November 22, 2025.
Additionally, they noted that through her hard work, she had international features with Movado (Apology), Phina (Too Late Remix), Bedjine (Too Late Remix), Guchi (Too Late Remix) and Niggy Boy (Weed & Wine).
They further told the paper that her ‘Ready’ album garnered over 25 million streams across all platforms, including massive airplays, adding that most of the songs featured prominently at parties and diverse events in Ghana and beyond.
Her management concluded that the hard work made her brand very attractive for Corporate Ghana, a feat which led Wendy Shay to secure ambassadorial deals with Peeva and Hisense.
Against this backdrop, they are optimistic that Wendy Shay is in pole position to win the coveted Artiste of the Year crown this year, and therefore called on industry players, all and sundry to vote for her.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
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Ghanaian highlife and Afrobeat musician Berima Amo has signed a new international recording deal with UK-based world music label ARC Music, a move seen as another boost for the global recognition of West African music.
Known for blending traditional highlife with Afrobeat, jazz and other global influences, Amo has become a strong advocate for preserving and promoting authentic African musical heritage while introducing it to new audiences around the world.
The announcement comes ahead of the release of his much-anticipated album “Rhythms of Love,” recorded live at Studio 150 Bethlehemkerk in Amsterdam. The album will be released worldwide on May 24, preceded by two singles: “Fake Flowers” on May 1 and “Yaba” featuring Tallulah Rose on May 8, 2026.
The new project is expected to expand Amo’s reputation as both a cultural preserver and musical innovator, pushing the boundaries of African sound through powerful rhythms and cross-genre fusion.
With five albums, two EPs and ten singles already available across major streaming platforms, Berima Amo continues to grow his global audience.
Berima Amo, a singer, trumpeter, composer and bandleader originally from Ghana and now active in Europe, has built a reputation for preserving the roots of highlife while reimagining it for modern audiences. Through performances, collaborations and educational initiatives, he has championed traditional African rhythms and instruments while blending them with Afrobeat, jazz, soul and orchestral music.
Many in the industry now view Amo as a torchbearer for authentic West African music, continuing the legacy of legendary figures such as E. T. Mensah, The Ramblers International Band, Rex Lawson, Ebo Taylor, Nana Ampadu, King Onyina, Osibisa and Fela Kuti, helping to carry the sound of West Africa to the world.
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