Master of ceremonies and media personality MC Portfolio has disclosed that he turned down a GH¢15,000 bribe in 2020 from the camp of an upcoming artiste who wanted a spot on a major music project.
In a post shared on his X page on Sunday, March 8, Portfolio disclosed that the money was meant to persuade him to remove one of the “Kumerican” artistes selected for Shatta Wale’s 2020 Kumasi Invasion Project song, Ahodwo Las Vegas, and replace that person with the said artiste.
Portfolio, who was among the key figures behind the project at the time, said he declined the offer despite urgently needing the money, choosing instead to stick to his principles.
According to him, he is grateful for that decision today because many of the artistes who were part of the Kumerica movement on the project have gone on to become household names.
He noted that he would not have forgiven himself if he had blocked someone’s breakthrough simply for financial gain.
“I refused a 15,000 cedis bribe in 2020 from the team of an upcoming artiste just to take one of the Kumerica boys off Shatta Wale’s project and replace him with their artiste. I needed money but stood on my principles and used my list,” he wrote.
“Today, all the guys on the ‘Ahodwo Las Vegas’ project are superstars, and I wouldn’t have forgiven myself if I had blocked someone’s breakthrough because of greed.”
While acknowledging that some of the artistes involved have not made him feel fully appreciated, Portfolio said he remains proud of the role he played in promoting the Kumerica movement.
The Kumasi Invasion Project (KIP), launched by Shatta Wale around 2020, aimed to spotlight and support emerging music talent from Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.
The initiative created opportunities for several rising artistes, including King Paluta, Amerado, Kofi Jamar and Ypee, helping push the “Kumerica” wave into the national and global spotlight.
Following the project’s success, Shatta Wale later introduced the Accra Invasion Project (AIP) to create similar opportunities for emerging talents in the capital, Accra.
