Ghanaian songbird Gyakie is pulling back the curtain on the realities of making music — and it’s not as glamorous as it seems. In a candid conversation on Asaase Café, the Afro-fusion singer shed light on the emotional, mental, and creative hurdles that go into producing a single project, particularly her upcoming album, “After Midnight.”
“I want to believe people don’t really appreciate or see the hard work that is put into everything,” Gyakie shared. “It’s not just, ‘oh it’s fun time,’ or go into the studio and just drop something.”
According to her, the creative process is often filled with arguments, doubts, and moments of intense pressure, as artists work to craft songs that truly connect with listeners.
“A lot of things happen behind the scenes—arguments, fights, thinking about this, putting that in place. Sometimes it’s just not working. The music isn’t sounding right,” she explained.
Three Years in the Making
One of the major revelations from the interview was the three-year journey it took to create her forthcoming album, After Midnight. The project, she said, has demanded everything from her team and herself.
“That’s why if I say it took three years to make the album, someone will say, ‘how do you mean?’ But trust me, we’ve been working on this album from 2022 till now. It’s been hectic.”
Even her producers weren’t spared from the toll.
“Sometimes the producers I worked with would hit me up and say, ‘This really took a toll on me.’ It’s just a lot. People really don’t see the hard work. Every creative who puts something creative out there, it always takes a lot of sweat and blood.”
Addressing Public Misconceptions
Despite the energy and emotion poured into her music, Gyakie revealed that public misconceptions can be discouraging. She noted that fans sometimes interpret an artist’s silence or evolving sound as laziness or lack of effort.
“Yeah, I think sometimes a few comments make it seem like, ‘Oh, she’s a lazy artiste, that’s why she’s not dropping music,’ or ‘Oh, she’s lazy that’s why her sound is this way.’ All those things can make you feel like your hard work is in vain.”
However, she emphasized the importance of self-belief and focus, which helps her stay grounded and motivated.
“The moment you know what you’re doing and you appreciate the effort you’re putting in for yourself—you’ll always be good to go.”
With “After Midnight” set to showcase a deeper and more refined side of Gyakie, her revelations offer a powerful reminder that behind every melody is a mountain of unseen effort.