It’s concerning to see that Liberian artists are becoming a minority on their own Apple Music charts. At present, CIC holds the #2 spot, MadnessBeats comes in at #12 with Everybody Messy, and Will Flash appears at #36 with My Ex and again at #73 with Single featuring Fluxii. These scattered appearances show how limited the presence of Liberian talent is, while foreign artists—especially Nigerians—dominate the scene.
Diaspora artists have struggled even more to break through. Aside from Bucky Raw’s CS2 album, which had potential but faded quickly, few have made meaningful impact. In my view, if it weren’t for King Jaffar’s consistent efforts and investment, the Liberian music scene would be virtually directionless. Many diaspora artists appear lazy and entitled, expecting recognition without putting in the necessary work.
A major issue is the lack of presence on digital streaming platforms (DSPs). Some Liberian artists don’t even have Apple Music, Audiomack, or Spotify accounts. While Audiomack is free and Apple Music is not, that shouldn’t be an excuse—not when it’s your own country’s platform. Songs like Simac and Broke Boys aren’t streaming on Apple Music, and artists like Lib Foreign don’t have significant followings on Audiomack. This shows a failure to take advantage of tools that can both grow their audience and earn income.
Liberian artists need to treat their craft like a business. Getting music on streaming platforms that actually pay artists is more important than relying solely on free platforms for clout. Beyond that, proper marketing strategies are essential. If Ghanaian artists can thrive in their own market despite foreign influence, Liberians should be able to do the same.
For the local industry to grow, artists must take responsibility: get on DSPs, release music people actually want to hear, and learn how to market it. Until then, they will remain outsiders in their own musical landscape.
