My name is Samuel-Frankie Allotey Pappoe. Born and raised in Ghana. I am a young passionate singer, songwriter and a performer! We all have experiences that define who we are. This is certainly true, musical and artistic work are so core to my identity. Music consumed and defined me, in and out of school, church and home at the age of 8. There was nothing I loved more, no interest or passion I could hold more strongly. I realized live band music in Ghana and Africa wasn’t paid much attention to and most of the performers sounded the same and so the few who loved live band started to loose interest and that pushed me to change the narrative! Therefore, whenever I pick any song to perform; I try to make it my own and if I have to perform the same song hundred times, I re-create it a hundred times! I always make sure I represent Ghana and Africa through my own music piece, voice, costume and the language. In 2019, I wrote songs and led the Fra Band to win it first ever Ghana - Spanish (Vis A Vis) competition, that gave myself and the band an opportunity to fly to Spain. We performed on 15 festival stages for over 20,000 plus audiences during summer 2019! Spain fell in love with us and named me African Michael Jackson, lol! - a compliment.
We currently have an album via online stores titled (Fra-Journey) and I personally have my own solo project coming out soon! Like every artist on any new endeavour, there are many ups and downs - especially live performance arrangements. I sometimes spend many nights rehearsing and my days writing songs! I like paying attention to every details. I don’t stop even if I feel overwhelmed and exhausted. I believe in working hard in your small crib even as you wait for opportunities. I do not sit idle and expect a great outcome when an opportunity comes knocking, No! always wear a smile because as a pacesetter or a dreamer, you are here to see things differently from the way others see it! Others might see bad days and break but when you encounter bad days, you make positivity drive you through it! As a leader if you allow yourself to break, the whole bricks (foundation) collapses!
What were the biggest initial hurdles and how did you overcome them?
What really keeps me grounded is this philosophy I hold at heart - No one said the road to success will be smooth. There will be hurdles to jump so no matter what happens, keep going, just keep going. Even if you have just one shirt and a trouser or 1 dollar on you.
What books are you currently reading?
I am currently reading, a book written by a lady I met in Spain called Eva Rangel. She saw my performance and gave me her book as a gift. It's self-written book to read called *Frank and Grace*. She never knew I was called Frankie! She lived in Ghana and her book centers around the Ghanaian way of life - from her perspective.
Did you ever deal with contention from your family and friends concerning your pursuits? How did you handle it?
What would you do differently in hindsight? My family have been extremely supportive, from my grandparents to my parents. Everyone have been behind me in terms of giving me my free will to go for what I want! As a kid my grandmother use to come pick me up to her church programs to perform and that’s something I cherished! Anyone who complains must have a solution on the other hand first before I take the complaint!
What do you know today that you wish you would have known when you first got started?
I wished, I stopped myself for being so scared of being a kid back then - meaning I allowed that mindset to hinder for living my living dreams! Success is surrounded by thorns that will hurt your fingers or hands when you try to take success or a rose out from the bushy rose garden. And being a child doesn’t mean you can’t be who you want to be!
What advice would you give to an upcoming youth or talents locally and internationally?
My advice to everyone out there is to first of all find your purpose.
That purpose will lead you to your perfect destination and that will affect the world we live in!
