Ghanaian rapper and performer Keeny Ice has voiced his deep frustration over what he describes as long-standing neglect and lack of recognition within Ghana’s music industry.
In a candid interview on Hitz FM’s Daybreak Hitz with DJ Slim and Doreen Avio, the artiste opened up about the challenges he has faced, despite years of consistent hard work and notable contributions to the music scene.
“The industry has not been fair to Keeny Ice. I am speaking for myself. Over the years, the industry has not been fair to me,” he lamented. “And I am saying this not as someone who is lazy sitting somewhere and trying to nag. Over the years you’ve seen my work. You’ve seen the impact I have had.”
Keeny Ice, who hails from the Volta Region, has established himself as one of the most prominent artistes from that area, cultivating a loyal fan base and hosting annual concerts since 2015—even before he turned professional. According to him, he was already making waves on major platforms in Nigeria as early as 2017, engaging in media tours and spreading his brand across borders.
He also revealed that Nigerian artiste Victor AD’s first taste of international exposure came through a collaboration with him. “Even Victor AD’s first international stint was a song I did and put him on,” he said, stressing the role he has played in helping others shine.
Despite his achievements and regional popularity, Keeny Ice shared his disappointment at being consistently overlooked by major award schemes in Ghana. He revealed it took nearly eight years of active music-making before receiving a nomination as an Unsung Artiste at the Ghana Music Awards. Even more disheartening, he believes he should have qualified for the 2025 Telecel Ghana Music Awards under the “Afrobeats Song of the Year” category, a spot he says was unjustly denied.
“I started putting up my own shows since 2015. That was even when I hadn’t gone professional,” he explained. “I was just in my formative years. In 2015 I was still filling up venues.”
Keeny Ice has built an impressive catalog with tracks like Deja Vu, Sound Check, My Way, Hedze, Steeze, and Aya. His versatility and consistency have earned him respect within the underground scene and among fans, but mainstream industry acknowledgment remains elusive.
As he gears up for the release of his highly anticipated EP Ice Cold on May 30, 2025, Keeny Ice remains hopeful that his efforts will eventually pay off. His story reignites the ongoing conversation about fairness, visibility, and the need for systemic changes in Ghana’s music industry to ensure deserving artistes receive their due recognition.
