The Ghanaian music industry has grown but the musicians have refused to grow past a trophy – the awards.
Music is big business BUT in Ghana, it is always ‘business as usual’ – nothing extra ordinary, ‘let’s follow suit’ and the laid back attitude of majority of Ghanaian musicians do not make the music business very enterprising.
Winning an award is the limit for majority of these Ghanaian musicians -the sky is not even their lookout. They don’t dream big and far, and that is why Ghanaian music doesn’t cross our borders; just a few make the attempt but how far do they even go?
After one award, they think they’ve ‘got there’. When a musician is awarded for a job well done, it should be the starting point of making great music, not the beginning of crap songs.
The focus is so much on the awards that they don’t bother making good songs to stay on top of the game. Surprisingly, some of these crap songs turn out to become hits.
Most of these musicians even win awards with the crappy songs they make (my opinion), and the good promising ones are either overlooked or only given nominations to keep the critics quiet.
R2Bees not winning the BET award may be a blessing in disguise, because I’m very sure if they had won, they’ll also start spewing crappy songs. Maybe, they might work hard to be noticed next year – until then….
After Samini grabbed a MOBO award in 2006, has he even bothered to aim higher? Sarkodie is another good example. After sweeping almost all the awards at the Ghana Music Awards last year as well as a BET Award, if he had worked harder on a good song to obtain another nomination at the BET, he would have reached a wider audience than before.
But what has he been disturbing us with lately, crappy songs of how he started and bragging about his achievements. This year was even a no-show for him. Kings reign until they die, when they’re de-stooled, it is problem.
An Award is not a ‘retirement trophy’; it is a pat on the back to make you work much harder and aim higher. It is not meant to be won, lay back and enjoy in the glory while making noise in the name of music.
Nobody is indispensable, everybody is in a replaceable situation and if the music is their business, they need to stay relevant with good songs.
Some of the players in the music industry just don’t like to be criticised. They don’t take nor tolerate criticism. Alas, they’re there for the award, so whatever you say is a personal attack or simply you’re a hater. With this attitude, how can they go far?
It’s sad that whenever @Chris Febiri puts up a thought provoking and self reflecting article,Ghanaians will not comment or acknowledge it. But when he ‘insults’ Nigeria in his article,every John, Miyagi and Kofi will jump in to comment. Quite sad!
Dnt mind dem…..dey v turned blind nw but wiv d mention of naija,their eyes will b wide open n will start flexin muscles ova som1’s mata…..smh 4 dem…..
This is so true though, I 100% agree with u, after Sarkodie wining all these awards, he comes out with Pizza & Burger, what is Pizza & Burger? Lol, but he might be picking up again cs his part in the I’m in love with ur gf song with Efya & Jayso wasn’t bad at all.
I’m not even gonna bother myself with these two “Alata Nkura’s ” comments cos really, this article was posted only today so they can keep their jaundiced opinions abt Ghanaians to themselves.
Now, Tisha I have just few observations to make about your article. I’m not even gunna lie; I’m a fan of Sarkodie. I can agree with you on Samini’s dwindling career after the MOBO award coupled with his MTN endorsement deal which sorta got a little too much into his head. But I can see he’s been pushing hard lately. Unfortunately, his time’s passed.
But I beg to differ with Sarkodie. Ha! What’s your definition of a “good” song? Dude is one of the most hardworking artistes in Ghana. Very consistent. Giving his fans fresh good music almost every month. I don’t know if you know anything about “hiphop culture”, cos really u sound clueless. I cant be asked with that tho; do your research. Sarkodie raps about a variety of topics in his songs. (See his sophomore album – Rapperholic) and recent songs like Pizza & Burger, “Lies” among many others. Indeed, he’s earned his bragging rights with his envious achievements so get off his back already! He’s come really far with his music not to mention his many endorsement deals & personal endeavours (I cant even mention dem all).
Looks like I’m talking too much. I totally agree with those artistes when they dont take destructive criticisms(hate) like this article. I think his latest track “Original” provoked this article but LOL y’all deserve it.
I gotta add this. Y’all should watch out for “Sarkology” though. We’re not even thinking about just a nomination at the BETs. We talking Grammys a, wose BET. KMT.