Ghanaian highlife star Bisa Kdei has opened up about missed international opportunities at the peak of his career, while crediting the city of Kumasi as a key force behind his success.
Speaking on Angel FM, the artiste—born Ronald Kwaku Dei Appiah—revealed that despite his popularity at home, a lack of confidence from international promoters limited his global reach during his prime years.
“Abroad promoters doubted me in my prime; I could have sold out bigger venues like Sarkodie is doing now,” he said, pointing to the rapper’s recent international achievements as an example of what could have been.
Bisa Kdei recounted a standout moment in 2016 when he successfully filled a venue in Toronto, noting that the challenge was not his ability to attract fans but rather skepticism from industry players. “There was a belief problem,” he explained, adding that this lack of trust extended beyond one country to multiple international markets.
While reflecting on global setbacks, the highlife musician was quick to highlight the unwavering support he received locally—especially from Kumasi audiences. According to him, the city embraced his music even when certain songs were not widely recognized as hits elsewhere.
“Kumasi has really played a vital role in me becoming famous; they listened to my songs and stood by me,” he said, emphasizing how the region’s loyalty helped sustain his career.
He also revisited the 2016 awards season, acknowledging widespread public opinion that he deserved to win Artiste of the Year. Though he described the moment as disappointing, he expressed gratitude for the support he received from Ghanaians.
“Although I have moved on, it was a sad moment, but I really appreciated how Ghanaians supported me that year,” he added.
Bisa Kdei’s reflections shed light on the broader challenges Ghanaian artistes face in breaking into international markets, even at the height of their success.
