SINCE bursting onto the music scene seven years ago, Bogo Blay has steadily carved out a space for himself. But for the fast-rising rapper, nothing can compare to his recent performance at the 2025 Presidential Cup match at the Accra Sports Stadium, where he shared the stage with Dancehall heavyweight Shatta Wale and rapper Kweku Smoke.

Describing the experience as his biggest highlight yet, the 2018 Vodafone Icons Rep Ur Hood winner said the energy from the audience was overwhelming.

“My greatest achievement is performing with Shatta Wale and Kweku Smoke at the President’s Cup between Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak.

“The feeling was incredible—hearing the crowd chant my name showed me a bigger breakthrough is near. That’s what keeps me going,” he told Graphic Showbiz on Sunday, September 21.

While the moment brought him new recognition, Blay believes it is only the beginning.

 “Performing with Shatta Wale has added to my relevance, but I still believe recognition grows with consistency. It’s a process, and I’m ready for it,” he said.

Blay’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. Entering the scene with a mix of rap and singing in Twi, he delivered with a non-Akan accent, and many doubted his style would appeal.

Some even advised him to switch. Instead, he refined his craft into a high-energy rap approach that has since resonated with fans, producing hits such as Street and Zoom.

“I think the industry now embraces new sounds and genres. That’s an opportunity for emerging artistes like me to stay authentic rather than force ourselves into one mould,” he explained.

Unlike many artistes whose childhood shapes their craft, Blay says music came to him later. His inspiration, he revealed, comes more from reflection than early experience.

“My personal childhood didn’t influence my music much because I was almost an adult when music came to me. But my life experiences now deeply influence my songs. For example, Mr Paul is 90 per cent a true story.”

Outside of music, football remains his other passion—not professionally, but as a way of keeping fit and even working on breath control.

Blay is not slowing down. He revealed plans to release a new single in the first week of October, adding to a growing catalogue that already includes Street, Zoom, Grateful, Serwaa and the viral TikTok hit Medicine.

His debut album, Wailing Monster (2023), introduced his unique sound to a wider audience, followed by 24 earlier this year. With an EP/album also in the pipeline, his trajectory continues upward. 

Having already graced major stages like the TGMA Nominee Jams, COPO Awards and Engineering Excellence Awards, Bogo Blay is convinced the chants of the crowd at the President’s Cup were just the beginning of something greater.