Safo Newman, whose hits Akokoa, Heart Into Brain and But If I Die have reached listeners beyond Ghana, says the true measure of his success is the legacy he leaves behind rather than the applause he receives.
In a recent interview, the artiste explained that the growing international response to his music has only reinforced his belief that a good song can cross language and borders. “When people can relate to the emotions and message in a song, they can connect with it regardless of where they come from,” he said.
That outlook has led him to embrace opportunities to perform at international corporate and private events, seeing them as a way to bring his music to wider audiences. “I’m very open to that. A lot of my songs suit such settings and events, and I believe they can work well in different spaces,” he added.
One recent example was a performance for Latvian businessman Aldis Ozols in Accra after Zefix Auto Parts, a company linked to Ozols, invited artists to submit songs for its brand. Safo’s entry was selected, and the performance was described by the artist as relaxed, thanks to Ozols’ easy‑going nature. Ozols later thanked him live on TikTok.
Despite these new avenues, Safo remains focused on creating music that will endure beyond his active career. “For me, it is about creating music that has meaning, connects with people and will still be remembered even when I am no longer actively making music,” he said. “That is what would make me feel fulfilled as an artiste.”
