Ghanaian highlife musician Kuami Eugene has revealed that he continues to face criticism for his feature on Sarkodie’s song Happy Day, which many perceived as a campaign anthem for the New Patriotic Party (NPP). The song, released four years ago ahead of the 2020 general elections, has left a lasting impact on his career.
Speaking in an interview on Hitz FM on October 22, Kuami Eugene expressed his frustration over the backlash that persists to this day. According to him, he was unaware of the political undertones of the song during its production. “I am still suffering for that feature,” he said. “I don’t know what conversation sparked the decision to include me, and after I did the chorus from the first verse, I heard from senior man [Sarkodie], and it ended up that way. I have to explain myself for the rest of my life that I am not part of it being an NPP song.”
Kuami Eugene clarified that the initial discussions about the feature had nothing to do with creating a campaign song. “I think it was a Kuami Eugene and Sarkodie collaboration conversation that didn’t lean towards politics. It was from a different perspective, and later it went in that direction,” he explained. The highlife artiste admitted feeling disappointed by the unexpected outcome and the long-term effects on his public image. “I just felt a little disappointed because I still pay for it,” he added.
He also shared the type of backlash he faces regularly. “People ask me all the time, ‘You go sleep for UGMC, you no know say ebe Mahama build am,’” he said, referring to criticism linking him to the political rivalry between former President John Mahama and President Nana Akufo-Addo.
Happy Day became controversial upon its release due to Sarkodie’s verse, which explicitly endorsed President Akufo-Addo for re-election and praised his Free Senior High School policy. While Sarkodie faced backlash for the perceived political endorsement, Kuami Eugene was also dragged into the controversy. Fans labeled him an NPP sympathizer, despite his repeated assertions that he had no involvement in the political messaging of the song.
The criticism continues to be a source of frustration for Kuami Eugene, who remains committed to distancing himself from the political affiliations tied to the song.
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