Olivetheboy, an Afrobeats singer-songwriter who goes by Joel Ofori Bonsu, has been featured in Apple Music's Up Next artist development program in Ghana, the company announced today.
"I'm overjoyed to have been selected to represent Ghana on this international platform as an Apple Music Up Next artist. It's evidence of the effort and commitment I've put into my musical career. This honor highlights the diverse talent emerging from Ghana's thriving music scene in addition to celebrating my love of music. I'm eager to share my experiences and artistic abilities with the world, and I hope that my music will find an audience among listeners everywhere.
Olivetheboy was greatly motivated to pursue a semi-professional music career after seeing his parents and godfather achieve it. Olivetheboy eventually developed his talent in the vibrant, artistic streets of Konongo, in the Ashanti region of Ghana, where he lived.
His debut EP Avana (2023), released through Loop Music and streamable on Apple Music, features his unique blend of clear lyrics, soulful vocals, and incredibly catchy melodies. However, it wasn't until his single "Goodsin" went viral on TikTok that he started to gain international recognition.
Burna Boy and Tems, both Grammy Award winners from Nigeria, were the first two African artists to receive global attention on a large scale in 2019 and 2021, respectively, as part of Apple Music's Up Next artist development program, which was launched in August 2017.
Apple Music has had its finger on the pulse of African talent as the eyes and ears of the globe have switched to the melting pot of sounds emerging from the continent, expanding to feature South African talent in March 2021 and subsequently Nigerian talent in July 2021.
Olivetheboy will be highlighted across Apple Music's Up Next playlist as the most recent Up Next talent to be featured in Ghana. The carefully chosen new and upcoming artists on the Up Next playlist were selected by Apple Music editors from all over the world. The genre-neutral playlist features a collection of musicians that our global editors are keen to introduce to a wider audience.
Grammy-nominated and widely acclaimed artists like 6lack, Daniel Caesar, H.E.R., Greta Van Fleet, Khalid, Amy Shark, Billie Eilish, Sabrina Claudio, Sigrid, Mr. Eazi, Stefflon Don, Bad Bunny, Juice WLRD, Bazzi, Jax Jones, NCT 127, Summer Walker, Tierra Whack, Dean Lewis, Pink Sweat$, Koffee, Mega Thee Stallion, Burna Boy, Clairo, Lunay, Jessie Reyez, Orville Peck, Victoria Monét, Ingrid Andress, Conan Gray, Don Toliver, Rema, BENEE, Holly Humberstone, Natanael Cano, Givēon, beabadoobee, Arlo Parks, Tate McRae, Foushee and Tems.