Music and sports form a fundamental part of modern culture. 

The presence of songs and soundtracks providing a heightened emotional connection to teams and competitions across the world.

Whether it's your national anthem at the AFCON, or ‘jama’ at the stadium, music and sport are connected. 

For example, Shakira’s 2010 hit, Waka Waka, will forever be synonymous with the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, famous for the jabulani, vuvuzelas and for Ghanaians, Luis Suarez and that Asamoah Gyan penalty. 

Hearing that song instantly brings back memories of the tournament, proving how music and sports have had a longstanding relationship for decades with the two almost inseparable. 

Music helps athletes calm emotions or even improve performances, while spectators rely on music to enhance their experience of the game. 

The lives of musicians and sportsmen are also kind of similar, sharing commonalities such as performances before large crowds, extreme followership, and the need to perform at the very highest levels over and over. 

Music and sports truly go hand in hand, so much so that some professional athletes occasionally, find themselves venturing into music even while still active. Nigeria’s Alex Iwobi and Dutch forward Memphis Depay, represent more recent examples, but former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan is probably the standout name when it comes to Ghanaian athletes who’ve pursued a music career in their active playing years. However, that phenomenon doesn’t look like ending anytime soon. Gyan has retired, but the current crop of Black Stars players has its own music star - Joseph Painstil.

Music has always been the 26 year old’s first love, forming a relationship with the microphone way back in his younger days as a praise and worship leader, at House of Favour, a church in Fadama, Accra. 

“I started in the church, where I used to lead worship and sometimes praise songs.

“Music is something I love and I’ve always wanted to do, but not to wait till after my career,” he tells me.

Painstil joined Major League Soccer side, LA Galaxy, in February 2024. The timing of the transfer meant, the forward ended up playing for 17 straight months due to the differences between the European and US football calendar. 

With the pressure ever increasing on the pitch, Painstil still finds time to write and record music. 

“I always record or write on my off days. For example, I was unavailable for national team duty due to injury in October and November, so I used that time to finish a couple of songs. 

“My main concentration is on football, but at times when we’re done training, I make some time to record my songs.”

Painstil’s music journey has seen him drop close to 10 songs, and records featuring mainstream Ghanaian  artistes like, Kweku Flick, Bisa Kdei and dancehall king Shatta Wale are in the pipeline. 

The LA Galaxy man, however, isn’t the only Black Stars player splitting time between the pitch and the studio. Gideon Mensah is also an aspiring dancehall artist, and Painstil is eying a collaboration in the near future. 

“Gideon is a good friend and we talk all the time. I’ve told him to let me know when he’s ready to hop on a song with me. It’s a bit difficult to execute now, due to our different schedules, but it’s something we’ve definitely spoken about.”

2024 ended in the perfect possible way for Paintsil, winning the MLS Cup with LA GAlaxy in his debut season.

His latest song, Blessing, could be heard blasting in the changing room after the final win over New York Red Bulls, as his teammates danced along. 

Imagine winning the Western Conference Cup in your debut MLS season and celebrating with your new released song in the dressing room.

Congrats @josephpaintsil_ pic.twitter.com/9OqaK6VmzA

— Jon Boafo (@JonBoafo) December 1, 2024

Painstil also got the chance for a live performance, showcasing his now not so hidden talent, at the LA Galaxy MLS Cup victory parade, with teammates and fans enthusiastically singing along.

Legendary football manager Arsene Wenger described the sport as an art, and Paintsil is proving that two different art forms can co-exist.