Nigeria: “I never thought he would make it this far”
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria
Ghanaian afrobeats singer Lasmid’s father says he never imagined his son would rise to national fame, describing the musician’s journey as one built on persistence, faith, and family support.
Speaking in a recent interview, the proud father reflected on Lasmid’s path from a young boy with a passion for music in Tema to one of Ghana’s most talked-about afrobeats voices
Lasmid, born Nii Lante Augustus Lasford, first came into the public eye through the MTN Hitmaker competition. But according to his father, the dream started long before television cameras and studio sessions.
“I never thought he would make it this far,” the elder Lasmid admitted. “When he was younger, music was just something he did in the house. He would be singing, writing in notebooks, recording on his phone. As a parent, you worry. You want your child to have something stable.”
Like many Ghanaian parents, he initially hoped his son would pursue a more traditional career path. But Lasmid’s love for music kept pulling him back.
“He didn’t give up,” his father said. “Even when things were slow, even when people were telling him to focus on something else, he kept going. That’s what made me start believing.
Lasmid’s big break came after he won the MTN Hitmaker competition, a platform that has launched several Ghanaian acts. The victory gave him visibility, but it was his single _Friday Night_ that turned him into a household name.
The song became anthem in clubs, on radio, and across TikTok, with its catchy hook and danceable beat. It also opened doors for collaborations and performances across Ghana and beyond.
His father recalls watching the song climb the charts. “I was in the house and I kept hearing it everywhere — in taxis, in shops, even at church events. I called him and said, ‘Son, is that really you?’ He just laughed.”
For a family that had watched Lasmid grind for years, the success felt surreal. “We prayed for this,” his father said. “But to see it happen, to see people singing his songs word for word, it’s different.”
While proud, Lasmid’s father also spoke candidly about the pressures that come with fame.
“The industry is not easy,” he said. “There are a lot of distractions. There are people who will come around only when things are good. As a father, my job now is to remind him to stay grounded.”
He said he often tells Lasmid to remember where he came from in Tema and to use his platform responsibly. “Fame can change people. But I believe my son. He knows the value of hard work because he lived it.”
The father also emphasized the role of faith in their family. “We thank God first. Without God, none of this would be possible. And we thank Ghanaians for supporting him.”
Since _Friday Night_, Lasmid has continued to evolve his sound. He blends afrobeats with highlife influences and storytelling that resonates with young Ghanaians. Songs like _Puul_, _Running_, and _Atele_ have further cemented his place in the new generation of Ghanaian music.
Industry watchers note that Lasmid represents a shift in Ghanaian pop — artists who are self-made, digitally savvy, and unafraid to experiment. He has performed at major festivals, toured, and built a loyal fanbase both at home and in the diaspora.
His father says he’s most proud of Lasmid’s discipline. “He’s in the studio a lot. He’s always writing. Even when he’s tired from shows, he’s thinking about the next song. That’s the Lasmid I know.”
Asked what he would tell other parents whose children want to pursue music, Lasmid’s father offered a balanced view.
“Support them, but also guide them,” he said. “Don’t kill the dream, but don’t let them forget education and character. Music is good, but discipline is better. And pray for them. The road is long.”
He added that parents should pay attention to their children’s talents early. “Sometimes we see the signs and we ignore them because we think it’s just playing. But if a child is consistent with something, nurture it.”
Lasmid has hinted at new music and collaborations in 2026, with fans expecting a project that will push his sound further. He has also been more vocal about mental health and staying true to oneself in interviews, themes his father says reflect the young man he’s become.
“He’s matured,” his father said. “He talks to the younger ones now. He tells them to work hard and be patient. That makes me prouder than any award.”
For now, the family is focused on staying grounded. “We celebrate, but we don’t get carried away,” his father explained. “Tomorrow, it’s back to work. That’s how we were raised.”
Lasmid’s story is one that resonates with many Ghanaian households — the tension between pursuing creative dreams and seeking stability, the long wait before breakthrough, and the pride that comes when it finally arrives.
His father’s words — “I never thought he would make it this far” — capture both the doubt and the hope that many parents feel when a child chooses an unconventional path.
Today, Lasmid stands as proof that with talent, perseverance, and support, that path can lead far beyond what anyone imagined.
As his father put it: “I’m still amazed. Every time I see him on stage or on TV, I have to remind myself — that’s my son. God has been good to us.”
With new music on the way and a growing reputation across Africa, Lasmid’s journey is far from over. And the man who once doubted if it would work is now his biggest cheerleade.
