Ghanaian-born artist Barimah Onimfo-Nyame, known in the music world as Original Boy BXY, has just released a powerful new track that delves into the challenges of love and marriage in today’s society, with a unique focus on the role of money. Now residing in Belgium, the Kumasi native continues to make waves internationally while staying rooted in his Ghanaian culture.
“Money can influence the wrong choices in relationships,”says Barimah about the inspiration behind the song. “Conditional marriages are becoming more common, and I wanted to address this through my music.”
Barimah describes the new release as a reflection of his growth, not only in the music industry but as an individual. “The lyrics are more mature, and I’ve seen 100% growth compared to my earlier work.” He emphasizes how his experiences living outside Ghana have shaped his art, though he didn’t face any challenges in the creative process. “I’ve recorded both in Europe and back home, so the transition was smooth.”
The song, a unique blend of Twi, French, and English, showcases Barimah’s versatility. Although living abroad, he stays connected to his roots through his music. “The message in the song is universal, but my Ghanaian background always shines through,” he shares.
Barimah notes that fan reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, especially from his followers in Ghana. “I’ve been getting more texts and calls from Ghana than from my friends abroad,” he says with a smile. As for the song’s potential, Barimah is optimistic. “I hope it tops global charts. After all, money is something we all think about every day.”
Despite the excitement of releasing new music, Barimah acknowledges the challenges of being an upcoming artist outside of his homeland. “Living abroad, everything runs on time and money. It’s harder to find people willing to help with things like video shoots, while in Ghana, people are more eager to assist without a charge.” Yet, despite these obstacles, he believes living in Europe offers unique opportunities for African artists, though it does come with limitations.
“Africa provides more chances for upcoming artists to perform live, especially compared to Europe where events tend to happen mostly in the summer.”
Remaining connected to his Ghanaian roots is a priority for Barimah. Social media plays a key role in maintaining his relationship with his fans back home, while simultaneously building a global audience. Looking ahead, he hopes to collaborate with international artists and producers on future projects.
When asked about the state of the global music industry, Barimah is passionate. “Established artists need to give newcomers a chance on stage,” he asserts. He’s also aware of the impact streaming platforms have had on his career, noting that DistroKid has been the most effective for him in reaching his audience.
As for the global recognition of African music, Barimah believes there is still work to be done, particularly when it comes to overcoming language barriers. “Ghanaian genres like Highlife and Afrobeats are gaining attention, but to truly reach an international level, we need to focus on incorporating English into our music.”
Looking ahead, Barimah’s ambitions are clear: “I want to create my own record label and build a platform for future talents,” he says. Fans can also expect to see him on tour soon, both in Ghana and internationally, as he continues to promote his new release.
With his sights set on the future, Barimah Onimfo-Nyame, the Original Boy BXY, is determined to leave a lasting mark on the global music scene while staying true to his roots.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Emmanuel Mensah
