Safo Newman unexpectedly burst onto the music scene late last year with his song “Akokoa.” He quickly became viral on social media and amassed a sizable number of plays on a variety of platforms.
While some online commenters, such as rap legend Sarkodie, are showered with compliments about “Ghana’s new kid on the block” for his skill and lovely song, others just keep hurling flaming darts at him.
Newman, yelling obscenities at him. However, the early-30s singer claims he is not concerned about the online trolls.
Speaking with the Daily Graphic, Newman said that while he had read the offensive remarks, which included, among other things, descriptions of him as underweight and dishevelled, he was not at all concerned about them because his music was what really mattered to him.
He declared his intention to focus all of his energy on creating timeless music instead of obsessing over the criticism he received.
“When it comes to my appearance and the comments people make about it, I’m not particularly bothered. In fact, I see it as part of why I stand out. Those negative remarks about my appearance don’t faze me at all. What truly matters to me are the songs I create and the messages they convey, as well as the positive impact I can have on society,” he said.
Life in the limelight
Ghanaian rap icon Sarkodie is largely responsible for Safo Newman’s recent rise to prominence, which he is currently enjoying thanks to his song Akokoa.
His song is still making waves in the charts and gaining a lot of attention, especially after Sarkodie declared it to be a huge hit. In Ghana, it is currently the ninth most streamed song on Audiomack.
He acknowledged that he was still adjusting to his new position, but he promised to use the platform to become one of the most sought-after musicians the nation had ever seen.
“I have finally had the opportunity to meet Sarkodie who opened doors for me with his endorsement of my song. It is just the beginning of greater things to come and I am looking forward to doing amazing stuff with him. Being in the limelight these past days has been quite overwhelming for me but I feel great about it and I will use this opportunity to make more impact,” he added.
Dual role
Along with being a popular musician, the new sensation is also a committed educator. Providing insight into how he balanced his love of music with his dedication to schooling, he said balancing the two roles had not presented any major obstacles.
For him, it all comes down to staying focused and creating a schedule that accommodates his two passions.
“It’s all about being focused and maintaining a balance. Both my music career and teaching profession are dear to my heart, so I strive to blend them harmoniously,” he said.
The singer stated that he was very optimistic about the future and that he would like a team to help manage him effectively. The singer has not yet secured a management team for his music career.
Nevertheless, he reaffirmed that he was committed to creating excellent music and carrying out his teaching responsibilities even in the absence of a formal management structure.
“Currently, I am doing everything by myself and I am praying that I get a management team that will help me to do things better,” he said.
Staying relevant
Safo Newman’s main goal in the music business is to stay relevant. He is confident in his ability to eventually connect with his audience despite his unorthodox style.
He believed that because he was working hard to write songs that would endure, his fame would not be fleeting.
“I don’t confine myself to a specific genre. I draw from various influences, particularly classical music, to create music that transcends boundaries and I also believe that crafting music that leaves a lasting impact, regardless of trends or genres will make you stand out, and that is what I intend doing to stay relevant in our industry,” he said.
He said he was grateful for everyone’s support so far and promised to use this energy to make even more powerful music in the future.