Rapper Gambo discusses American dream and Afrobeats on Voice of America
Ghanaian rapper Gambo, known for his hit song “Drip”, recently sat down with Voice of America (VOA) reporter Mike Hove during his US tour to discuss his experiences in America, the rise of Afrobeats, and his encounters with industry icons.
In the interview, Gambo reflected on his time in the US, where he has been on tour for several months, and spoke about witnessing the “American dream” firsthand. Among the highlights of his time in the US was meeting the legendary Snoop Dogg back in February 2024. Gambo described Snoop as a warm and approachable personality who immediately made him feel at ease.
“Snoop Dogg makes you feel like you know him. He doesn’t give you the chance to be nervous,” Gambo shared. The two met in Los Angeles at the African Pre-Grammy Awards Global Affairs event, where Gambo was attending as a Vodafone Ghana Music Award-winning rapper.
When asked about his upcoming projects, Gambo revealed he is already working on an Afrobeats album, a genre he feels passionate about. He expressed gratitude to the pioneers of Afrobeats, crediting them for opening doors for younger artists like himself.
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“Afrobeats is at a stage where everyone is excited about it. It’s like a new, vibrant sound that makes people want to dance and be happy,” Gambo said, acknowledging the global appeal of the genre.
**Unity and Collaboration in African Music**
The rapper also called for unity among African artists, emphasizing the importance of collaboration to elevate African culture on the global stage.
“This is the time we need to support each other and push our culture to the world,” Gambo remarked.
Gambo’s collaborations with African artists have been central to his success. He described his work with Nigerian artist Goya Menor on the track “Cut Soap” as his biggest African collaboration to date. He also highlighted other successful partnerships, including his work with Lade on “Nobody” and Tanzanian artist Young Daresalama on “Sio Simple.”
**Tribute to Michael Blackson**
During the interview, Gambo paid tribute to actor and comedian Michael Blackson, whom he credited for playing a crucial role in his music career. Blackson has been instrumental in connecting Gambo to top figures in the US music industry, including Jim Jones, with whom Gambo collaborated on a remix of his hit track “Drip.”
Grateful for the support, Gambo praised Blackson for helping him navigate the competitive US music scene. “Michael Blackson has been very supportive of my career and connecting me to influential people in the industry,” Gambo noted.
With new music in the works and growing international recognition, Gambo continues to rise as a key figure in the Afrobeats movement, blending African culture with global influence.