I Used To Be Ashamed I Am An African – Fuse ODG

UK-Based Ghanaian Afro beats singer, Fuse ODG has revealed how embarrassed he used to

be to be an African.

As a black African growing up in the UK Fuse ODG had been embarrassed by the negative

portrayal of the African continent.

The poor images and the never-ending negative news about his ancestral home affected his ego and pride.

Narrating his experience on Peace FM’s Entertainment Review on Saturday, November 24,

the ‘Azonto’ hitmaker said he was ashamed to be Ghanaian as a child.

According to him, he was embarrassed and let down of the negative perception about Africa

in the Diaspora and as such, it became difficult to tell people of his country of origin.

“At a point in time, I was so ashamed that I couldn’t even tell people that I was Ghanaian because there was so much negative news about Africa”.

The awards-winng artiste however revealed that this perception of his changed as he grew up.

“However, with time, I appreciated Africa’s greatness and I am very proud to be an indigene.

“I realised that music is a powerful tool for development and with such a platform, I can lead a campaign to erase the negative perceptions about Africa and that was how my This is New Africa( TINA) started with my music,” he stated.

Fuse ODG is one of the few Ghanaian stars outside seeking to promoting Africa and its rich culture since 2012.

Fuse ODG, who recently released his ‘Bra Fie’ song featuring Reggae star, Damian Marley,

hopes to intensify his African campaign with a festival dubbed Tinafest in January next year.

The purpose of the festival is to use music and the arts to re-orient the mentality of Africans

and encourage them to take pride in their heritage and identity.

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Tinafest will kick start on Friday, January 4, 2019. The aim of this event however is to change

the bad narratives about Africa and to also trumpet her achievements in the arts.

Even though he is not based in Ghana, Fuse ODG has continuously raised the consciousness

for Africans to be proud of their identity through his TINA (This is the New Africa) campaigns.

He has endlessly sold Africa and its talents through his music videos and the upcoming

show in January will create a bigger avenue to serve the purpose.

Real name Nana Richard Abiona, Fuse ODG is best popular for his 2013 single ‘Antenna’ which

peaked at No. 7 on the UK Singles Chart.

Among the many awards he has to his credit are Urban Music Award Best Afrobeats

Artiste in 2012 and Best Afro Pop Song at the 2013 Ghana Music Awards.