Ghanaian singer Mzbel has opened up about how her hit song 16 Years came by accident and the lessons she has learned about branding in the music industry.
She revealed that she never considered herself an artist in the beginning. “I never saw myself as an artist. I was a receptionist and production assistant at Hush Hush Studios.
Then the chance came, I recorded 16 Years and it became a hit. My real dream was to become a radio presenter,” Mzbel said.
Speaking on Penpensiwa, hosted by Obomengniibaa Nana Akua, she admitted that she did not anticipate the song’s success and was unaware of the importance of managing her image. “I was new in the system, I didn’t see myself as an artist, and I didn’t really see the future of it; it was something I was just trying,” she explained.
Reflecting on her early career choices, Mzbel added:
> “Everything happened in haste in my career, so there was no plan. I was just a young girl who had recorded a hit song that people liked. I didn’t care about my outfit when I was going to perform, and the people around me were okay with it. I didn’t know it would affect me until I started understanding the music business. The things we took for granted have come back to affect my brand. If anyone wants to refer to how I started, people don’t have all the nicest things to say about me, and I have lost deals because of that.”
Mzbel emphasised that her early lack of awareness about branding and professional presentation had long-term consequences.
She encouraged young artists to understand that even small decisions early in their careers can shape their reputation and opportunities.
Her candid reflections offer insight into the realities of sudden fame and underscore the importance of brand management in sustaining a successful career in music.
