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GHANAIAN rapper and singer Givtti Shandon is calling for a paradigm shift in the nation’s live music scene, highlighting a persistent and troubling lack of female headliners on major stages.
Despite the rising influence of women in the industry, Givtti argues they are still largely treated as "fillers" rather than the main attractions for national festivals and high-profile events.
“When it comes to big stages and festivals, women are usually booked as fillers, not as the main attraction. You rarely see female artistes headlining major events unless it’s their own show,” she told Graphic Showbiz in a recent interview.
She cited the recent festive season as a clear example of the imbalance. Givtti observed that while the calendar was packed with concerts, the top of the posters remained overwhelmingly male. Even when talented women were included on the bill, they were often relegated to early-evening slots before the core audience arrived.
Givtti believes this pattern reinforces the perception that male artistes are more commercially viable, a mindset she says is rooted in long-standing industry bias rather than actual audience demand.
“There’s this assumption that men pull bigger crowds, but that belief hasn’t really been tested fairly. You can’t say women don’t draw crowds when they’re rarely given the opportunity to lead big stages,” she explained.
Beyond the stage, Givtti pointed to the gender gap behind the scenes as a primary cause of the imbalance. With event curators, promoters, and sponsors being predominantly male, she suggests that unconscious bias often dictates who is "trusted" with a headline slot.
“When most of the people deciding lineups are men, it affects who they trust with headline slots. That’s why we need more women involved in decision-making positions, not just on stage,” she stated.
Givtti, who recently released her debut EP, All The Above, a four-track project inspired by the different phases of life and personal growth.
The EP marks a major milestone in her journey as an artiste, capturing how she has evolved both creatively and emotionally. Blending singing and rap, Givtti delivers a sound that is honest, reflective and expressive, while collaborating with top Ghanaian acts who each add their unique style to enrich the project.
Through the songs Anadwo 10:30, Odo Tintan featuring Deon Boakye, Gongo Aso, and Puulele featuring Medikal, Givtti takes listeners on a journey of love, self-belief, healing and ambition.
Challenging herself by performing in four different languages and exploring new creative territories, she hopes listeners walk away feeling emotionally fulfilled, inspired and reminded that growth is a process worth embracing from start to finish.
