Amaarae Calls Out Poor Show Organization in West Africa

Ghanaian-American singer and songwriter Amaarae has publicly criticized the organization of a recent show in West Africa, taking aim at production issues and poor execution that marred the live experience for audiences and artists alike, a situation that’s sparked debates about live music professionalism in the region.

Amaarae’s outcry taps into a history of contentious live shows and performance setbacks across West Africa. In late 2025, she pulled out of Ghana’s “Taste of Culture” event after prolonged delays and what her team described as unacceptable treatment by event organisers, a decision her mother and manager stressed was about protecting her artistic standards and professionalism. According to her team, they waited extended periods hoping for resolution before ultimately leaving the stage area.

This isn’t the first time Amaarae has faced production challenges in the region. In mid-2024 she withdrew from her planned performance at the Telecel Ghana Music Awards, publicly citing “incredible disrespect” and unmet technical requirements from the organisers despite months of preparation and even flying her full crew in from abroad. The artist expressed her disappointment that rehearsals were delayed and key technical needs were not met, which she felt made it impossible to deliver the quality show her fans deserved.

Fans online have echoed some of these concerns. On social media and forums, attendees at recent shows have commented that technical issues such as poor sound checks, long wait times before performances, and abrupt endings left the crowd feeling short-changed.

The recent outcry highlights ongoing growing pains within West Africa’s live music infrastructure, from production coordination to artist treatment. Many industry observers now argue that for the region’s entertainment scene to match its booming creative output, significant improvements in live show management are essential.