At this year’s Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) in May, one thing was hard to miss — almost every artiste had a hype man on stage.
Their job? Simple but powerful — to fire up the energy, connect with the audience through chants and call-and-response, and keep the crowd buzzing between verses.
While the role is now gaining attention in Ghana’s music scene, OgeeTheMC, longtime hype man for Stonebwoy, says it all started with his boss.
In an interview with Graphic Showbiz, Ogee — who has been part of Stonebwoy’s team for over a decade — confidently stated, “Some years back, no one cared about hype men. Today, everyone wants one. But let’s not forget those who made it look cool when nobody was paying attention. And for that, I’ll boldly say Stonebwoy was the pioneer. The records are there.”
He added that seeing several hype men at this year’s TGMA was refreshing, but believes the early trailblazers deserve their flowers. “It’s good to see artistes embracing the culture now, but those who worked to make it accepted shouldn’t be forgotten,” he said.
Ogee’s journey with Stonebwoy began in 2012 when the two met at an event and hit it off. Two years later, what he calls “divine orchestration” brought him officially into Stonebwoy’s camp — and the rest, as they say, is history.
Before teaming up with the Therapy hitmaker, Ogee — born Bright Fosu Danquah — had already made a name for himself as a lively MC, hosting campus events, community shows, and parties while studying at Takoradi Technical University. What started as a side hobby quickly revealed his gift for crowd engagement.
Ogee explains that being a hype man goes far beyond shouting on stage. “We’re the bridge between the artiste and the audience,” he said. “We control the tempo, sustain the energy, and keep the show alive. It’s a craft — and it’s finally being respected.”
The journey hasn’t been easy, though. In the early days, Ogee says many people didn’t understand his vision. “People laughed at me, saying I wasn’t serious,” he recalled. “But I knew what I was building. Today, younger artistes reach out for mentorship. That alone makes it worth it.”
While Nigerian stars like Tiwa Savage helped popularise the hype man concept after featuring one during a Ghana Meets Naija concert, Ogee insists Stonebwoy laid the foundation in Ghana. “Stonebwoy was the first to consistently perform with a hype man on big stages and encouraged others to follow,” he explained.
He credits Stonebwoy’s foresight for opening doors for many others in the space. “Ghana is usually slow to embrace creative change,” Ogee said. “But Stonebwoy saw the potential early and gave me the platform. That changed everything.”
For Ogee, the story isn’t just about recognition — it’s about loyalty and gratitude. Over ten years later, his partnership with Stonebwoy remains as strong as ever.
“I’ll always give Stonebwoy his flowers,” Ogee said with pride. “He believed in me when no one else did. Nothing can break that bond.”
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