Gyakie – "I Wept Every Three Days in the Early Stages of My Career"

Gyakie, the 24-year-old Ghanaian musician, has quickly risen to fame with her powerful voice and unique sound. However, her journey to success has not been without significant challenges, particularly in the early stages of her career. In a recent interview with DJ Edu on BBC Africa’s Super Morning Show, Gyakie opened up about the emotional strain she experienced as she navigated the pressures of the music industry. Despite the success of her breakout single “Forever,” she revealed that the journey was far from easy, often leaving her in tears due to the immense pressure to continuously deliver hit songs.

Reflecting on her early experiences, Gyakie admitted that the weight of expectations was difficult to bear, especially after the massive success of “Forever.” “If I am pressured or shouted at, I am going to grab a tissue and cry. So, I don’t like to be pressured or shouted at. At the beginning of my career, I would cry at home almost every three days because the pressure was too much,” she shared. The song “Forever” was a major turning point in her career, gaining her widespread recognition. But with this newfound fame came the overwhelming expectation to replicate the success of her first hit, a pressure that left Gyakie struggling emotionally.

She explained that the pressure was not only from her management but also from the public, who expected her to produce even bigger songs after the success of “Forever.” “Especially when ‘Forever’ blew up, the expectations were high for me to come out with another hit song,” she said. The immense pressure to continuously meet high expectations made the early stages of her career particularly challenging, with Gyakie admitting that she often found herself crying at home.

Despite the emotional toll, Gyakie explained that the pressure, coupled with negative criticisms from the public, eventually helped to build her resilience. “It’s good when it feels like motivation, but it’s different when it’s something else,” she said, reflecting on how the early criticisms affected her. “Also, these negative criticisms that are not coming from a good place… It took me a while to not really let it get to me,” she continued. Over time, Gyakie learned to develop a thicker skin and not let the negativity affect her. She now finds herself able to brush off harsh comments, even those that are unfounded or untrue. “But now, I could see anything about me, where the person knows what he is saying is not true. I would be like, somebody should give me some water to drink because the country is already hard,” she said with a laugh, showing how she has grown from those early experiences.

Gyakie’s career began in 2019 when she released her first single, “Love is Pretty,” which caught the attention of listeners and laid the foundation for her musical journey. She followed it up with another single, “Never Like This,” which continued to build her fanbase. However, it was her 2020 hit song “Forever” that truly catapulted her into the spotlight. The track, taken from her Seed EP, became a massive success and made Gyakie a household name. The song’s infectious melody and heartfelt lyrics resonated with many, pushing her into the limelight and earning her recognition both in Ghana and internationally.

Despite her early struggles, Gyakie has continued to rise in the music industry. Her story is one of perseverance, hard work, and emotional growth. As she navigates the complexities of fame and the pressures of the music business, she has learned to cope with the challenges that come with it. What once brought her to tears now serves as motivation for her to push forward and keep creating music that resonates with her growing audience.

Now, as Gyakie continues to develop her career, she stands as an example of how facing adversity head-on can lead to personal growth and success. From crying every few days in the early stages of her career to confidently handling the pressures of the industry today, Gyakie’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of mental and emotional strength in the pursuit of success. Her continued growth as an artist shows that, despite the challenges, she has the determination to succeed and thrive in the music industry.