Entertainment
‘Love led me to drugs’ — rapper Agbeko shares painful story of addiction
Ghanaian rapper Bismark Yankah, better known as Agbeko, has revealed how his battle with drug addiction began after falling in love with a woman he met at a music show.
According to the “Wototome” hitmaker, he met the woman during a performance. What began as a casual friendship quickly turned romantic and later destructive.
“I was introduced to drugs by a female friend whose father had sent her from the UK to Ghana because of her addiction. she later became my girlfriend,” Agbeko said in an emotional interview.
He explained that the lady’s father brought her to Ghana hoping she would recover, but things worsened.
“Because of drugs, her father brought her down to change, but it b…
[17:59, 28/10/2025] Edem: Rapper Agbeko breaks down as he recounts struggles with addiction and life on the streets
Ghanaian rapper Bismark Yankah, popularly known as Agbeko, has shared a heartbreaking story about how drug addiction, memory loss, and financial hardship pushed him from fame to life on the streets.
In an emotional interview, the “Wototome” hitmaker broke down in tears as he recounted losing everything he once had, including his home and music career.
“I was doing drugs… I lost everything. I couldn’t get myself a place anymore. I had no means to rent a room. Everything that was holding me up was gone, and I found myself on the streets,” Agbeko said.
He explained that although he made some money from his music, it wasn’t enough to sustain him.
“I used to divide my money into three parts, one for bills, one for music, and one for feeding. That’s how I survived,” he noted.
The rapper tried to make ends meet through a small clothing business. “I sometimes carried bags around and showed people good clothes to buy,” he said.
Agbeko revealed that things got worse when he began suffering from memory loss, making it hard for him to recognize even familiar faces.
“Sometimes I forget people I’ve known for years. They think I’m showing off, but I’m really not. I just can’t remember,” he said, adding that he now believes he needs medical help.
Agbeko, who rose to fame with his hit “Wototome,” was once admired for his lyrical style and energetic performances. But like many entertainers, he faced personal struggles behind the scenes, which eventually affected his mental health and livelihood.
Despite his challenges, the rapper remains hopeful and says he is determined to seek help and rebuild his life. His story highlights the unseen battles many musicians face beyond the spotlight.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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.
