Edem’s plan to bring back ‘Ayigbe Edem’ on social media sparks mixed reactions
Ghanaian rap heavyweight Edem has sparked chatter online after hinting that he might bring back his former stage name, Ayigbe Edem, to help fans easily distinguish him on social media.
In a reflective post on Facebook, the award-winning musician explained that the growing number of accounts using the name “Edem” was causing confusion for fans trying to find his official page.
“I was telling my team there are too many Edems on social. Though mine is verified, we should bring ‘Ayigbe Edem’ back so the difference is clear… Guys, what do you think?” he wrote.
The comment immediately stirred memories of the rapper’s early career and reopened conversations about the cultural significance of the name he once proudly carried.
From Ayigbe Edem to Edem
Edem first made his mark on Ghana’s music scene under the name Ayigbe Edem, building a following with his unique mix of Hiplife, rap, and Ewe cultural influences. In 2012, however, he dropped “Ayigbe” and started performing simply as Edem. At the time, he and his team used the catchphrase “Go get dem” to help fans identify him among other artists with similar names.
The decision, he later explained, wasn’t just about style it was cultural and personal.
In a 2023 interview on Joy FM with broadcaster Kwame Dadzie, Edem said elders from the Volta Region advised him against using “Ayigbe Edem” because the term carried historical undertones that could be seen as negative.
He explained that the word “Ayigbe” traces back to a story involving an Ewe king who sought refuge with a Ga ruler. When emissaries demanded the king’s return, the Ga ruler refused — an act remembered in the phrase “egbe,” meaning “he has refused.” Over time, this evolved into “Ayigbe,” sometimes used to refer to Ewe people.
“I felt that continuing to use the name might inadvertently celebrate a difficult historical moment rather than present our culture positively,” Edem said. “So I decided to drop it and represent my heritage in a positive light.”
The name Edem itself, he noted, means “God has saved” or “God has delivered” in Ewe.
A digital distinction, not a full rebrand
Edem’s recent post suggests he isn’t changing his cultural stance — he’s simply considering the old name as a practical solution to avoid confusion online.
The idea has divided fans. Some welcome the potential return of Ayigbe Edem for social media, saying it evokes nostalgia and recalls his breakthrough era.
Others worry it could create brand inconsistency. They argue that returning to a name he once rejected might send mixed signals or revive the historical connotations he initially wanted to avoid.
Rapper Keddi, of Ga heritage, expressed excitement:
“Ayigbe Edem… that name brings nostalgia. People who lived that era get goosebumps every time it’s mentioned. I’ve been bumping Volta Regime for weeks now!”
Meanwhile, Esteban David King disagreed:
“Stick to Edem. Your brand has grown beyond the name. Reverting would risk confusion and seem inconsistent. Fans already know and love you as Edem. If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.”
For now, Edem seems to be weighing opinions rather than making a final decision. The discussion underscores how closely identity, culture, and branding are tied for artists navigating both heritage and the modern digital world.
Whether he continues as Edem or briefly revisits Ayigbe Edem online, one thing is clear: the rapper thinks deeply about his name and what it represents, and he values feedback from both his team and his fans.
