Star Tee is a Nigerian rising star rapidly becoming a household name in the African music scene.born Lucky  Born Amos Arepade in Bayelsa, Nigeria, he showed passion for music at an early age. He was mentored by renowned Nigerian producer Jay Slick, who has worked with iconic artists like Timaya, 2Baba, and Sound Sultan. This mentorship laid the foundation for Star Tee’s unique sound and musical journey.

After relocating to Ghana in 2017 to further his career, Star Tee collaborated with top Ghanaian artists such as Camidoh, Dope Nation, Gallaxy, and Fameye, cementing his presence in the West African music scene. His music blends Afrobeat, highlife, and contemporary sounds, reflecting both Nigerian and Ghanaian influences.

Among his standout tracks, "Sabi Boy" and "No Be Me" have captured the hearts of fans across the continent.

With his ever-evolving style and rising success, Star Tee is poised for even greater accomplishments in the global music industry.

Think back to the early 2000s. Music videos were simpler—glitzy, yes, but straightforward.

A cool location, a camera crew, and maybe a few dancers. That was all it took to turn your favorite song into a visual hit. But today? The story has drastically changed.

Timaya, the legendary "Dem Mama" hitmaker, says it loud and clear: “Producing a video now? Be ready to spend up to ₦100 million.”

Wait—₦100 million? For one music video? Well, it is what it is.

And this isn’t just about inflation or spike in living costs. It’s something deeper—a full-blown evolution in how music videos are made and what fans demand.

Bigger Budgets, Bigger Expectations

Back in the day, spending ₦1.5 million on a music video was pretty much the gold standard. But these days, the audience's craving has hit the roof. Beyond your music, they want a cinematic masterpiece. Think Hollywood-grade editing, exotic sets, cutting-edge technology, and costumes that scream luxury.

It’s a competitive game. If your video doesn’t ooze quality, someone else’s will, and that’s who’ll dominate your fans’ playlists. For Nigerian artists on the global stage, the bar is sky-high.

What’s Driving the Price Tag?

Let’s call it a perfect storm of factors. First, there’s technology. Drones, 4K cameras, visual effects—it’s all part of the package now.

And those things don’t come cheap. Add to that the cost of renting jaw-dropping locations, hiring top-notch directors, and making sure every second of footage feels like magic.

Oh, and let’s not forget promotion—because what good is an amazing video if nobody sees it?

Promoting a single track across radio, social media, streaming platforms, and influencer pages can add millions to the budget. Suddenly, that ₦100 million price tag starts to make sense.

Artists Are Feeling the Heat

For those who have been in the game for decades are still here, they testify this isn’t just about vanity projects. It’s survival.

Artists are now spending so much to create and promote their craft that their performance fees have to rise too. When you hear some of these young stars charge ₦30 million for a show, it’s not greed. It’s the only way they can stay afloat.

And it’s not just about the glamour. As Timaya himself admits, today’s artists are grappling with the same economic challenges everyone else is facing. Salaries, family obligations, and the sheer cost of staying in business weigh heavily on them.

So, What’s Next for Nigerian Music Videos?

Despite the hefty costs, it’s clear that Nigerian artistes are raising the bar for the global music scene.

They’ve embraced the fact that music videos aren’t just an add-on to the song. They’re part of the story, part of the magic that connects fans to the music.

It’s a tall order, sure—but for the next generation of Nigerian talent such as Skelvin, Neyo stoner, Mascara vibez and a host of others, it's all about evolving, creating, and staying ahead of the curve.

In the end, the big budgets are proof of the industry’s transformation. The question is: Are the audience ready to appreciate what goes into the craft, or just there for the visuals?

So, you’ve cracked the code. You know how to pitch your tracks, and maybe you’ve even landed on a playlist or two.

Congrats!

BUT…

Getting on a playlist is only a foot in the door.

But how do you maximize this open door and milk it to become a superstar?

Let’s get to the winning steps:

# 1. Make Some Noise About It

As the streams roll in, shout about it from the rooftops! Social media is your best friend here. Let your fans know that you’ve hit a milestone. Prove it with screenshots of your track on the playlist.

You can even post stories or go live, sharing the behind-the-scenes excitement with your followers.

And don’t forget to tag the playlist curators and the platform itself. That way you’re showing  appreciation, and it may even get you noticed for future placements.

#2. Engage with Your New Fans

Once your track starts racking up the streams, people are going to notice you—and of course, reach out. That may be through comments, DMs, or direct mentions

So, engaging with your new fans is a must. Respond to comments on your posts and direct messages on your platforms. Thank your new listeners for discovering you through the playlist.

Aside from the relationship you’re building with your growing fanbase, the engagement also tells streaming platforms that your music is resonating. More engagement means more visibility, and that could lead to even more playlist placements.

#3. Dig Into Your Data

Data is your secret weapon. With platforms like Spotify for Artists, Apple Music for Artists, and others, you’ll be amazed at how much  streaming insights you can access.

Check who your listeners are, and where they’re from. Are you getting a lot of love from a specific region? Is there a particular demographic driving your streams?

Use this data to inform your next move. Maybe you discover that your music is hitting it off with a particular audience or in a certain market. Great! Now, you can tailor your next steps accordingly.

This may just mean you have growth potentials in that market. So what do you do? Consider releasing more content in that style or collaborating with artists from that region.

#4. Keep the Momentum Rolling

Playlist placement isn’t a magic wand, but it’s a good start to build on. After your song is featured, you have to keep the momentum going. You don’t want to be a one-hit wonder.

So what do you do?

Continue to reach out to curators, engage with your fans, and keep your social media game strong. Each time you land another placement or get more engagement, you’re building a larger audience and increasing your chances of getting noticed by bigger players in the industry.

So, remember, getting on a playlist is just the beginning. Your real goal is to turn that momentum into a loyal fanbase who’s with you every step of the way. Try out these steps, and see what a game-changer it can be on your road to stardom.

Music has always been a potent tool for putting a country on the map. When you hear Reggae, you think of Jamaica. When Afrobeats hits your ears, Nigeria instantly comes to mind.

But the big question is, When someone listens to music from Ghana, can they recognize it as ours?

Right now, the honest answer is…not really. And that’s a problem.

Now before you voice that objection you’re nursing, we’re not talking about listeners from Nigeria and neighbouring countries who have had close ties with Ghana for Decades. That’s close to home obviously.

But imagine someone in New York, Tokyo, or Berlin hitting play on a song, instantly nodding their head, and saying, “Oh, that’s Ghana!”

That’s the kind of identity Ghana should be building for its music.

What’s Missing?

You know how a dish tastes better with just the right spice? Well, music is the same way.

Ghana’s music has plenty of flavors, but it hasn't quite figured out its secret ingredient—the one that screams “This is Ghana!”

There’s Highlife, Hiplife, and a mix of everything else, but without a consistent sound, it still feels like a playlist on shuffle: good, but hard to pin down.

A Global Stage is Waiting

The exciting fact is that the world is craving something fresh. Audiences everywhere are hungry for music that feels new but authentic, something rooted in culture, yet relatable to them.

If building a signature sound becomes a focal point, the world will get exactly what it needs from Ghana.

And it is not just good for Ghana’s artists; it glorifies the entire nation. Think about Burna Boy’s impact on Nigeria. Or how Bob Marley became a cultural icon for Jamaica. The sound of Ghana could do the same for Ghana, elevating not only its artists but the image of the country itself.

Who Will Lead the Charge?

It takes a village. Artistes, producers, managers, and even us as fans all have a role to play. Let’s start by handpicking a small group of top-tier talents to shape and showcase this sound to the world.

The focus here is on the young ones with a lot of energy and promise. Think Addi Self and PBee… and of course a host of others in their generation.

Think of them as Ghana’s musical ambassadors, leading the charge as we redefine what it means to make “Ghana music.”

Let’s Make Ghana Heard

This is about pride and legacy. It’s about hearing a beat, a riff, a melody, and immediately feeling like you belong, no matter where in the world you are.

The global stage is set, and the spotlight’s on the Gateway to Africa! All that is needed now is the sound. And when it comes, the world will know exactly where it’s from.

Because when Ghana speaks through music, everyone should be able to hear it.

Remember when music gave you goosebumps? When it felt like artists were pouring their souls into every lyric and chord?

Well, Pheelz, the legendary Nigerian music producer, is starting to feel like those days might be slipping away—and honestly, he’s got a point.

In a heartfelt chat with media personality Ehiz on The Dada Boy Show, Pheelz opened up about something that’s been bugging him lately. According to him, the magic of creating music is getting lost, replaced by something more... mechanical. Like factories cranking out soaps or tech companies manufacturing phones.

“It’s starting to feel repetitive,” he shared. “Like we’re losing our creative sauce and our essence. Now, making the music feels like just another chore. The focus has shifted to the promo, not the art.”

He’s not wrong. Look around the industry today. Sure, there’s a ton of talent, but there’s also an overwhelming push for hype and numbers. Pheelz explained it best: “If your music isn’t getting the right marketing budget or clout, it doesn’t matter how good it sounds. It won’t ‘blow.’ And that’s heartbreaking.”

Ouch, right?

Good Music vs. Viral Marketing

The way music gets to us has changed. Gone are the days when you’d buy a CD and live with every track for weeks. These days, TikTok trends, viral dance challenges, and big-budget campaigns decide what we hear, not necessarily what’s good. But as Pheelz reminds us, trends come and go—only great music stands the test of time.

It makes you wonder: Are we raising a generation of musicians who are chasing algorithms instead of crafting timeless art? What happens to music when the drive for fame and wealth takes the wheel?

The Art (and Heart) of Music Still Matters

This is not to dismiss promotion. Heck, it does matter. But it’s high time we got our priorities straight.

Think about the songs we keep going back to, the albums we call classics. They weren’t just hot because they trended for a month—they hit differently because they were authentic. They were crafted with love, sweat, and raw talent.

So, here’s the big question for the industry: Will music continue to be about originality and passion, or will it drown in the noise of marketing?

For Pheelz, the answer is clear—it’s time for musicians to reclaim their art. After all, there’s no algorithm strong enough to beat good music that touches the soul.

What about you? Are you here for the hype or the heart?