Ghanaian rapper, poet, and tech innovator Dr. Pushkin is celebrating a major international win after his music video “Empty Grave” featuring B-Wayne clinched Best African Music Video at the prestigious Los Angeles Movie and Music Video Awards—a feat achieved without any industry connections or bribes, just pure merit.
The award-winning visual, known for its haunting symbolism and boundary-pushing cinematography, saw Dr. Pushkin and his team go to extraordinary lengths for their craft.
From being buried alive for hours in a powerful scene, to co-star B-Wayne risking his life climbing tall trees for the perfect shot under the direction of Junaid Timtooni Yakubu, every frame of Empty Grave screams dedication.
What makes the success even more remarkable is that Dr. Pushkin funded the entire production from his own pocket—hiring over 25 Ghanaian creatives including actors, makeup artists, costume designers, and cinematographers.
The video soared to Top 10 trending on YouTube Ghana for months, and is well on track to surpass 1 million views in a matter of months.
Despite these achievements, the video was snubbed by the Ghana Music Awards, sparking criticism over the industry’s lack of recognition for artists, particularly those from Northern Ghana.
“If the Ghana Music Awards think we’re not Ghanaians, they should just say so,” Dr. Pushkin remarked in a passionate post online. “One day they’ll have to explain.”
His frustration echoes a broader sentiment among artists who feel overlooked by the industry despite investing heavily in Ghana’s creative economy.
“People complain that successful artists don’t invest in Ghana,” he said. “But when they do, is this the reward they get?”
As international accolades continue to pour in, Dr. Pushkin’s Empty Grave stands as both a triumph and a question mark—a masterpiece recognized globally, yet ignored at home.
Today, though, the message is clear: art done with integrity wins—even if it has to cross borders to be seen.
