Aklerh: Ghana’s dancehall sensation carving her own path

Ghanaian dancehall musician Aklerh is making waves in the industry with her unique sound and unwavering commitment to authenticity.

Speaking in an interview on Asaase Artsy, she opened up about her musical journey, the challenges she has faced, and her passion for inspiring others through her craft.

Looking back on her second return from Nigeria, Aklerh said it was a tough time; stating that she faced many setbacks and began to question her path, looking for clear direction.

“So, one morning I was crying I was like why is everybody I love leaving me and looks like I might have some curse or something, because everything I try to do it looks like I can’t finish, I need to find something; I need to find my niche so that I can do it to the finish.

“Then one day my dad came to my room is like he was like, why are you crying? You are here crying Charlie. You don’t need to cry. You have to do something for yourself, you need to empower yourself to get further Go and learn a skill,” he stated.

Encouraged by her father to focus and develop a skill, she found her breakthrough in 2021 after collaborating with Kojo Kombolo on ‘Born Rich,’ produced by DJ Gashi.

However, creative differences prompted her to seek new opportunities, leading her to Nathaniel Amatio of Revolution Records, where ‘Born Rich’ was reworked, and her career took a significant leap forward.
“Yes, we started recording and worked on a song called Born Rich, produced by DJ Gashi. As we progressed, Kojo Kombolo mentioned that he could only record me as a virgin stuff.

“And me I wanted to take my music mainstream and push my career further. It’s not bad to want more for myself so I was like If he has said that that means he has given me like a go-ahead to work with anybody that comes, like want to work with me.

“I want to work. So, I met Nathaniel Amatio at his program he hosted, and he came to my house with a marijuana, and we got working from there. We got to meet with my father, and we met with his team. We arranged the born rich song,” she said.

With reggae and dancehall deeply ingrained in her musical style, Aklerh spent time in Nigeria performing covers of Peter Tosh, Bob Marley, and Morgan Heritage.

However, she was eager to create her own sound. Upon returning to Ghana, she released songs such as Only You, Labadi Girl, Run the Town, and her Dancehall Queen EP.

“I got tired of singing other people’s songs,” she said. “When I returned, I told myself, ‘Let me do my thing.’ That’s how I started working on my own music.”

In August 2024, she hosted the Queen of the Coast concert, which received an overwhelming response from fans and industry stakeholders.

A proud Labadi native, Aklerh draws inspiration from the culture, spirituality, and authenticity of her community. Although she spent part of her life in Madina, she considers Labadi her true home.

“Labadi is more than just a place—it’s an identity. The people, the culture, and the energy all inspire me,” she said.

Reflecting on her journey, she emphasised the importance of resilience and self-discovery, “Through my music, I want to empower women to embrace their truth and own their stories.” With a distinct voice and a clear vision, Aklerh is steadily establishing herself as a force to be reckoned with in Ghana’s dancehall scene, staying true to her roots and unapologetically defining her path.