Reggae/Dancehall artiste Jupitar has claimed that bias and tribalism within Ghana’s media and music industries have negatively affected his rise to mainstream popularity.
Speaking in an interview, the musician expressed frustration over the lack of recognition despite his contributions to the entertainment scene.
Jupitar emphasised that he remains a relevant force in the industry, highlighting his efforts in representing Ghana on international platforms and competing alongside top African acts over the years.
“If you consider me to be an up-and-coming artist, then you’ve failed from the start. I may be modest, but I’ve been in this game for a very long time. I have a say in this industry because I play a major role in it,” the Enemies hitmaker stated.
He cited favouritism and tribalism as major obstacles affecting his career.
“One of the factors [working against me] is favouritism—and maybe your background, as in where you’re from. Ethnicity definitely plays a role.”
Jupitar revealed that, during several interviews, he had been bluntly told that artistes who aren’t favourites are simply not promoted.
He recalled a past debate on Hitz FM where he raised this issue and felt vindicated recently when the station advised artist Manye Fi to switch from her native Ga language to Akan/Twi to gain more traction.
Despite performing at international festivals and on major platforms, Jupitar said he often chose not to publicise these achievements in Ghana due to a lack of appreciation.
“When you come back home, you don’t feel accepted or acknowledged enough. So, most of the wins—I win them in silence.”
To support his claims, he cited:
“I’m the only Ghanaian artiste who has actually won an Urban Music Award in the UK—over Davido and Wizkid—while they were present.”
The multiple award-winning singer expressed disappointment that the media doesn’t spotlight such achievements because it focuses on those it’s “cool with.”
When asked whether he might have stepped on toes in the industry and been blackballed, he responded jokingly:
“Maybe I unknowingly was with someone’s woman. I don’t know,” he laughed.
Nickname: ‘General’
Jupitar also explained the origin of his nickname “General.”
“The fans gave me the name General. They could clearly see I was the right guy. I kept hearing them call me ‘General’ repeatedly, so I added it to Jupitar.”
Mastery of Patois
The singer proudly declared his unmatched fluency in Jamaican Patois among Ghanaian artistes.
“Jupitar is the one and only authentic Dancehall artiste in Ghana—without any doubt—when it comes to clarity, originality, and fluency in Patois.”
He demonstrated his skill by apologising for arriving late to the interview, citing an unusual traffic jam caused by an accident, speaking in fluent Patois.
Explaining how he mastered the dialect, Jupitar said:
“To learn a language, you must give it your all. It must be divine, the way a child learns to speak by listening to a parent. I approached it the same way. I was wholly committed—body, soul, and mind.”
He shared that he immersed himself in Jamaican culture by watching Jamaican movies and listening extensively to music from the island.
The Ghanaian star added that Jamaicans he interacts with often find it hard to believe he is not from the island because of his flawless Patois.
