Onyebeat Joins OneBeat Ghana: A Harmonious Fusion of Creativity and Culture

In November 2023, Charles Ikechukwu Onwubuya, professionally known as Onyebeat, embarked on a transformative journey to Ghana to participate in the OneBeat Ghana program. This two-week residency, held from November 6th to 20th, brought together 11 talented artists and creative entrepreneurs from Ghana, Nigeria, and the United States. The program aimed to foster collaboration and develop strategies to strengthen artist communities and creative economies in the region.

Hosted at the serene Stone Lodge in Osudoku and vibrant Accra, the residency provided a conducive environment for participants to engage in skill-sharing sessions, creative workshops, and dynamic discussions. Under the guidance of esteemed facilitators, including Black Girls Glow Founder Poetra Asantewa, the cohort delved into various aspects of music-based social entrepreneurship. They explored innovative ideas for locally based festivals, creative exchanges, community workshops, and cultural preservation projects.

For Onyebeat, a renowned producer and vocalist from Nigeria, this experience was both enriching and inspiring. Collaborating with fellow artists such as The Masked DJ, Agbenorxevi, and Susan Augustt from Ghana, as well as Alfred Nomad and Hannah Standiford from the United States, he contributed to the creation of genre-bending tracks that seamlessly blend hip hop, hiplife, afropop, techno, and folk influences.

The culmination of their collective efforts is showcased in the OneBeat Ghana Mixtape, released on April 12, 2024. This compilation features nine original tracks crafted during the residency, reflecting the diverse musical backgrounds and collaborative spirit of the participants. The mixtape stands as a testament to the power of cross-cultural collaboration and the unifying language of music.

OneBeat Ghana, an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, produced by Found Sound Nation, exemplifies the potential of music to bridge cultural divides and inspire positive change. Onyebeat’s involvement in this program underscores his commitment to artistic excellence and his dedication to fostering a vibrant and interconnected creative community across Africa and beyond.

As Beatoven by Onyebeat continues to evolve, experiences like OneBeat Ghana enrich our creative perspective, enabling us to offer innovative and culturally resonant music production and sound design services to our clients. We are excited to infuse the knowledge and inspiration gained from such collaborations into our future projects, crafting soundscapes that not only entertain but also connect and inspire.

For more information about the OneBeat Ghana program and to listen to the mixtape, visit the OneBeat Ghana page.