Kuami Eugene reveals backlash over Sarkodie’s ‘Happy Day’ feature

Ghanaian highlife star Kuami Eugene has opened up about the ongoing backlash he faces for his feature on Sarkodie’s controversial song ‘Happy Day.’ Speaking in an interview with Andy Dosty on Hitz FM, Kuami Eugene revealed that even four years after the song’s release, some music fans still direct their frustrations toward him.

“I am still suffering from that [feature],” Kuami Eugene admitted, explaining that while his contribution was purely musical, many have associated him with the political undertones in the track. “I have to explain myself for the rest of my life that I am not a part of it when it comes to it being an NPP song.”

The song, released just before the 2020 general elections, drew attention for a line by Sarkodie that praised President Nana Akufo-Addo’s Free Senior High School policy, which many interpreted as an endorsement of his re-election. Though Kuami Eugene only provided the chorus, he continues to bear the brunt of criticism from fans who saw the track as politically motivated.

According to Kuami, the initial conversation with Sarkodie for the collaboration was unrelated to politics. “I think it was a Kuami Eugene-Sarkodie conversation that didn’t lean toward that direction at first. The conversation was about something else, but later, it went in that direction. I just felt a little disappointed because I still pay for it,” he lamented.

He also shared how some fans use the song to criticize him. “People ask me all the time, ‘you go sleep for UGMC, you no know say ebe Mahama build am?’” referencing the University of Ghana Medical Centre built under former President John Mahama.

Despite being caught in the crossfire of political debates, Kuami Eugene maintains that his involvement in the song had no political intent. However, the negative reactions continue to follow him, with many associating him with the endorsement of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) due to his involvement in ‘Happy Day.’ While the song achieved significant popularity, it left both Sarkodie and Kuami Eugene dealing with the fallout, especially from fans who felt the song was used to influence voters in the 2020 elections