‘African Music Still Not Embraced By mainstream’ Says Ghanaian-Canadian Artist Slim Flex

If you’ve never heard the name Slim Flex, you’re not alone. Although he is one of the leading African musicians making an impact on the Canadian music scene, Flex’s genre is far from mainstream. But, he’s hoping to change that. “We don’t get enough play, especially on major radio stations,” says Flex, or Flexy as he is often called. “We do not really get to shine on it. Even the radio shows that do feature African music, they don’t properly showcase the talent. For me, thanks to God, I’ve been able to break out a little bit, but we lack promotion.”

After cultivating his craft through music programs like Fun World in his native country Ghana, Flex moved to Canada in 2000. While singing at local churches for a few years, he began making waves amongst fans of African music. Still, finding his place in the mainstream market has proven difficult. “Once they know you’re from Africa, and this is the truth, it’s hard for you to break through,” Flex insists. “And it’s not only in Canada, even in the States. They look at certain things, like your accent, and the people that could really project our music don’t do it.”

Flex is quick to point out that it is not solely the music industry that has a hand in determining whether African music garners adequate exposure. It’s also the community.  He says that African music fans must also do more to bring the genre to the forefront. He uses politics to demonstrate his point. “If you look into the mayoral race and all those elections, it’s recently that Black people even started running for office,” Flex says. “But if you see someone, for example, from The Czech Republic, they come and run for office and his people will support him.”

Regardless of the cultural hurdles and music industry setbacks, Flex remains defiant and hopeful that the environment will adapt, and that his career is on the right trajectory.  “The community has to embrace the new forms of music,” he says. “Music is not just one genre. If this were any other artist, they would have given up right away. But I’m not that type. I keep doing it because I chose to go mainstream, and that is what I’m going to do.”

Source: Sway Magazine