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Ghanaian music fans may love their favourite artistes with the passion of a sold-out concert, but Kelvyn Boy believes some supporters are taking that loyalty far too far.
The Down Flat hitmaker has spoken out against what he describes as an increasingly toxic fan culture, warning that the constant online comparisons, insults and cyberbullying aimed at rival artistes could ultimately hurt the very industry fans claim to support.
Speaking during a recent interview on Hitz FM, Kelvyn Boy said he is uncomfortable with supporters attempting to promote him by deliberately tearing other artistes down.
“This thing then I dey complain all the time say this fanbase thing, the way we dey do am for Ghana here, e dey ruin other artistes,” he said.
According to him, comparing him to another artiste and then insulting that artiste to prove Kelvyn Boy is better does not actually help his career.
“Me I won’t like it. The fact say they dey take somebody compare me, they dey insult the person say I better pass them. I don’t think that makes me look good,” he added.
And Kelvyn Boy believes the biggest proof that the online fan wars do not represent reality can be found at concerts.
According to the singer, once artistes such as Shatta Wale, Stonebwoy, Sarkodie and himself share the same stage, the supposed divisions between fan bases suddenly disappear.
“When you go for show and Shatta Wale, Stonebwoy, Sarkodie, Kelvin Boy them all dey there, what they show you say the fans them be one,” he explained.
He pointed out that fans do not necessarily leave the venue simply because their favourite artiste has finished performing. Instead, they remain, sing along and enjoy songs from the other performers too.
“If this one come perform go, the same fans them go stay make this one come perform. E no be say this one then ein fans go go and this one then ein fans go come. Them dey sing everybody ein song,” he added.
But Kelvyn Boy did not place the responsibility entirely on fans. He also challenged artistes who quietly enjoy seeing their colleagues attacked online.
According to him, musicians who encourage or reward toxic fan behaviour are contributing to a culture that could eventually damage everyone.
“I think it’s not necessary when we, the artistes, fuel that,” he said.
“You feel like your fan is fighting for you. You like the way he’s insulting another artiste for you, and you dey fuel that. I don’t think it’s healthy.”
For Kelvyn Boy, supporting an artiste should not require declaring war on everyone else.
The message is simple: stream your favourite artiste, buy the ticket, sing the song and show the love. You do not have to bury another artiste just to prove yours is alive.
