Ghanaian rapper and Afrofusion artist DEKSTA said the fear of ridicule has quietly kept many promising local talents hidden from the spotlight. Speaking to the Graphic Showbiz on Tuesday, September 1, he explained how shyness and self‑doubt can damage emerging artists in an industry that demands self‑promotion.
“You are filled with thoughts of being made fun of, considering how the internet is today with all the cyber‑bullying and trolling,” he said. “Other times, you start doubting your talent and become afraid to put yourself out there. It is the fear of getting it wrong in front of an audience that could see and judge everything in real time.”
DEKSTA recalled his early days of recording music in silence, too afraid to release his demo titled No Fakes even after friends posted it secretly on Audiomack and SoundCloud. He only began sharing his work after receiving positive feedback, which boosted his confidence.
Despite growing self‑assurance, he faced criticism that his sound was not “Ghanaian” enough. He admitted that his early influences were foreign, but said he has since refined his style to create a unique sound that he believes is distinctly his own.
He now has three releases to date: “In Memoriam Freestyle” (March), “Economy” (April) and “Azula” (August). His message to other hidden talents is simple: start small, share your work, and let confidence grow through feedback.
“Just start. I know it’s usually harder than it seems, but start small and the big things will come later,” he advised. “The thing is to believe in yourself first and then it’ll be easier for other people to believe in you.”
