Ghanaian rapper Edem has sparked a conversation about longevity, competition and individual responsibility in the music industry after sharing a pointed message on Facebook about younger artistes who believe established musicians must step aside before others can flourish.
In his post, the award-winning musician drew attention to celebrated Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo, using her long career as an example of why the continued success of veteran performers should not necessarily be viewed as an obstacle to emerging talent.
“I am yet to see any Artiste from The republic of Benin crying that Angelique Kidjo should retire so they can shine.”
Edem’s central argument was that musicians should concentrate on developing their own identities, audiences and careers rather than seeing successful predecessors as the reason they have not broken through.
“Carve Your Own Path and Niche”
Edem went further, arguing that an artiste who fails to establish a distinctive identity risks remaining under the shadow of others.
“If you don’t carve your own path and Niche..You would always be in people’s shadow thinking that they are the ones stopping you whiles they keep working.”
His remarks touch on a recurring debate within Ghana’s entertainment industry: Does the continued dominance of established artistes make it more difficult for younger musicians to gain attention?
The discussion often resurfaces when veteran performers continue to command major concerts, endorsement deals, media attention and prominent positions on festival line-ups.
Edem’s position appears to reject the idea that longevity itself is the problem.
Instead, his message places emphasis on differentiation.
Why Angélique Kidjo Is a Powerful Example
The choice of Angélique Kidjo gives Edem’s argument particular significance.
Kidjo has maintained an international career spanning decades while younger generations of African musicians have continued to emerge around her. Her longevity has not required other Beninese or African performers to wait for her retirement before pursuing their own careers.
She has also achieved extensive international recognition, including multiple Grammy Awards, while continuing to record and perform.
For Edem, the lesson appears straightforward: one artiste’s longevity does not automatically prevent another artiste from succeeding.
Music is not necessarily a position occupied by only one person at a time.
Established and Emerging Artistes Can Coexist
The history of African music provides numerous examples of different generations operating simultaneously.
Veteran musicians can maintain audiences built over decades while younger performers develop completely different fan bases through streaming, social media, collaborations and new musical movements.
The modern industry arguably makes that coexistence even easier.
An emerging musician no longer has to compete exclusively for limited radio airtime. YouTube, TikTok, Spotify, Audiomack and other digital platforms have created additional routes through which independent artistes can find audiences.
However, increased access also means increased competition.
Thousands of songs can be released within a short period, making originality, branding, consistency and audience development increasingly important.
That gives additional context to Edem’s call for musicians to find a “path and niche.”
Longevity Should Not Be Mistaken for Blocking Others
There is another side to the wider industry debate.
Emerging musicians can legitimately face structural difficulties, including limited funding, inadequate industry infrastructure, difficulty securing performance opportunities and competition for media exposure.
Those challenges should not simply be dismissed.
But they are different from arguing that successful older musicians must retire for younger performers to progress.
An established artiste continuing to release music does not prevent a new artiste from developing a distinctive sound, building an online following or creating a new market.
Indeed, younger musicians frequently benefit from collaborations, mentorship and the audiences established by earlier generations.
“Goals and Ambitions Never End”
Edem concluded his Facebook message with perhaps its strongest statement:
“Goals and ambitions never end till you are called by God.”
The statement challenges the assumption that musicians should automatically withdraw from active competition after reaching a particular age or spending a certain number of years in the industry.
Music careers do not operate like conventional employment with a mandatory retirement age.
An artiste may perform for decades if there is an audience that remains for the music.
Likewise, a younger musician does not have to wait for an older generation to disappear.
The challenge is to create something compelling enough to command its own audience.
A Message Beyond Ghana Music
Edem’s comments ultimately raise a larger question about how success is viewed within creative industries.
Competition is inevitable, but another person’s success doesn’t necessarily mean someone else’s failure.
Established musicians have to keep working to remain relevant. Emerging artistes have to give audiences reasons to pay attention.
And audiences ultimately have the freedom to support several generations simultaneously.
That makes Edem’s message less about forcing older artistes out and more about encouraging musicians to establish an identity strong enough to stand alongside them.
The industry does not necessarily need established stars to disappear for new stars to emerge. It needs new artistes who can carve out their own space.
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