Dancehall Artiste, Iwan Cries Out Over Lack Of Recognition
Iwan, also known as Abdul Razak, has expressed deep frustration over the lack of recognition he has received for his hard work and artistic contributions to the music industry.
He believes that this lack of recognition stems from a general lack of appreciation for the positive music he creates, which has hindered his ability to capture the attention of music enthusiasts in Ghana.
According to Iwan, his commitment to producing good and socially impactful music has had a detrimental effect on his once-thriving career, as people tend to gravitate towards more trendy songs rather than his unique style.
Despite gaining prominence in the Reggae/Dancehall scene with hits like ‘Who Is Bad’ and ‘Thanks and Praise’ over a decade and a half ago, Iwan feels that he is not receiving the recognition and popularity he deserves due to his choice to focus solely on positive music. In a recent interview with Graphic Showbiz, Iwan expressed his dissatisfaction with the lack of recognition and popularity he has received, attributing it to his decision to create music with a positive message.
“Our music landscape is often dominated by catchy, mainstream tunes. So when you are dedicated to creating music that challenges the status quo and addresses important issues, you are ignored.
“I have been very vocal about so many wrongdoings in our society. I have spoken so much about homosexuality. However, nobody heard me because even our radio stations would not play my songs since they are not the usual ones about women, buttocks, money, etc.
“They are not songs that talk about sex, alcohol and drugs. Making music that impacts people’s lives and causes behavioural change does not sell, but one thing we must know is that we all can’t keep our mouths and eyes shut and watch our society fall apart,” he stated.
He pointed out that Ghanaians do not appreciate the value of his contributions to the music industry and society as a whole.
Iwan was the recipient of the first-ever reggae/dancehall award in Ghana, marking a significant milestone in the industry. IWAN, an acronym for I Win Always Naturally, is a distinguished alumnus of the University of Ghana, where he pursued the Theatre Art, Music, and Dance program.
He has emerged as a rising star in the music scene. Initially signed to Bullhaus Entertainment, the renowned force behind the success of hiplife duo 5five, Iwan made a remarkable impact on the music industry with his debut album titled “Iwan – My Time” in 2010. Abdul Razak Issahaku, also known as Iwan, hails from the northern region of Ghana and belongs to the Dagomba tribe.
Born in Accra to Mr. Issahaku Atta and Mrs. Ajara Mamudu, he is the youngest among three boys and four girls. Iwan describes himself as a humble, quiet, tolerant, hardworking, and creative individual. Iwan completed his education at St. John’s Junior Secondary School in 2001 and subsequently enrolled at Accra High School, where he served as the entertainment prefect during his third year.
He actively participated in various school events and represented the institution in external competitions. His passion for music began during his secondary school years, where he started writing commercial songs.
In his pursuit of furthering his musical career, Iwan also undertook a course in sound engineering. Iwan’s humility as an artist has enabled him to collaborate with producers from around the globe, solidifying his reputation as a versatile and internationally recognized talent.
