The Pressure Was Too Much at the Beginning – Gyakie Reflects on Emotional Challenges Early in Her Career

By Dan Lartey On Nov 26, 2024

Ghanaian Afrobeat sensation Jackline Acheampong, popularly known as Gyakie, has opened up about the emotional struggles she faced during the early stages of her music career.

Speaking with DJ Edu of BBC Africa in a recent interview, the “Forever” hitmaker revealed that the immense pressure to deliver often left her in tears.

Recounting her experience, Gyakie disclosed that her management’s relentless drive to achieve results pushed her to the edge. She was expected to replicate the success of her breakout song, “Forever,” which added to the pressure she felt.

“If I am pressured or shouted at, I am going to grab a tissue and cry. So, I don’t like to be pressured or shouted at. At the beginning of my career, I would cry at home almost every three days because the pressure was too much. Especially when ‘Forever’ blew up. The expectations were high for me to come out with another hit song,” she shared.

Beyond the demands from her team, Gyakie also dealt with criticism from music consumers, which she described as a toughening experience. While acknowledging that constructive pressure can serve as motivation, she admitted that negative comments initially took a toll on her.

“It’s good when it feels like motivation, but it’s different when it’s different. Also, these negative criticisms that are not coming from a good place… It took me a while to not really let it get to me. But now, I could see anything about me, where the person knows what he is saying is not true. I would be like, somebody should give me some water to drink because the country is already hard,” she said.

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Gyakie’s candid reflection sheds light on the challenges artists face in maintaining their success. Despite the emotional toll, she attributes these experiences to shaping her resilience and preparing her for the demanding nature of the music industry.

Today, Gyakie remains a prominent figure in Afrobeat music, using her story to inspire budding artists navigating similar challenges.