Yes! It’s a fact! Ghana has not produced any international music icon in the past 30 years – this is a naked truth!
What do I mean by international music icon? I mean a musician that when you mention his or her name, one does not need to Google, read any newspaper, or ask someone to know about the fellow. My own semi-literate mother, who is a trader, even knows or has heard about American musician Michael Jackson – though she can’t sing any of Michael’s songs.
Mention Bob Marley, Lucky Dube, or Michael Jackson and the ordinary person on the streets of Accra Central is most likely to say ‘I’ve seen his picture before’ or ‘I’ve heard his songs before.’ I don’t know which part of the world you may be as you read this piece, but wherever you are, ask anyone to mention just one international music icon Ghana has produced in the past 30 years and reply to this piece.
List of legendary musicians Ghana has produced in the past 30 years (or even more) include; Kojo Antwi, Daddy Lumba, Amakye Dede, Oheneba Kissi, Gyedu Blay Ambulley, Pat Thomas, Jewel Ackah, Papa Yankson, Kofi Abraham, Mary Ghansah, Charles Amoah, Ben Brako, and others. Which of them is an international music icon?
Even two of Ghana’s music acts whose names always come up when we are talking about musicians who have taken Ghana international, thus, Osibisa and Ramblers International, according to my research, are not that popular worldwide – though it’s on record they toured extensively with Ghanaian music.
Foreigners who know about Osibisa are those who have actually read or researched widely about the history of Ghana’s music from the 50s. Ask any 10 Americans on the streets of New York (or any of the States) if they know or have heard about Osibisa from Ghana and 9 out of them are most likely to tell you ‘what is that?,’ ‘who are they?’ or ‘what do they do?’
But ask any 10 Ghanaians walking on the streets of Accra Central if they have heard or know Lucky Dube, Bob Marley or Michael Jackson and between 7-8 are most likely to tell you ‘I know his songs’ or ‘I have heard his name before’ or ‘I’ve seen his picture before.’
Pick the picture of any of the first 3 most popular members of Osibisa – Mac Tontoh, Kiki Gyan or Teddy Osei, hit the streets of Accra Central and show the picture to anyone and ask ‘do you know this man?’ I’m not a soothsayer, but I can take a chance with full confidence that, most are likely to respond: ‘I’ve never seen this man before’ or ‘I don’t know him as a musician’ – this is naked truth.
When it comes to South Africa, Yvonne Chakacka and Hugh Masekela can be said to be close to International Music Icons—if they are not indeed one.
My point – we should not delude ourselves that Ghana currently has even one international music icon; we don’t! If you think BET has nominated Sarkodie or Sarkodie has won a BET Award before so he is or can be considered as an international music icon from Ghana, I’m sorry to say you, you are living in the wrong of misconception…
BET organizers are giving nominations to African artists just to spread their tentacles (brand) to Africa; not that they believe in us – another naked truth!
Michael Jackson, Bob Marley and Lucky Dube, are all late, but, they were international music icons when they were alive and still are as departed souls. Ghana has failed to produce any international music icon! I long to see the day we will make one. Until then…MOTWUM!!
What do you People really want from dese celebrities u constantly downgrade? The Ghanaian Neva praises his own yet we are very quick to write negative blogs about them. Ghana as a country has Neva been marketable or popularized enuf bcos even the President of Ghana (John Mahama) is not popular internationally. The Lucky Dubes and d MJs are insanely talented dudes who were at the forefront of craze/movement n their system supported them. Our Manifests, Sarkodies and ELs n more r very talented guys yet the average Ghanaian can’t even sell them yet u want them to become international acts ovanyt. Sarkodie hypnotizes a fan with a his performance and Ghanaians say it was staged. How d hell do u expect them to become international acts then when our own system doesn’t support them. Ghanaians r too hypocritical .
My brother, it’s like you just read my mind! My sentiments exactly. People are quick to compare but they don’t factor the differences in enviroments into their arguments. Go to Cambodia & ask 10 people you see on the streets if they’ve heard of Ghana & im also not a soothsayer but not less than 9 will ask u what is Ghana?? But ask them of USA & see. It’s a bigger problem, so wats ya point? Football is putting Ghana on the map more than our so-called entertainment industry. U wanna know why? See how Ghanaians come together to support Ghana at tournaments regardless of the team’s weaknesses? . & compare it how we treat our musicians & u wonder why u dont have an international music icon? Support them regardless of their shortcomings & uwill get 1! I believe if Sarkodie keeps up with his presence atm, he is on his way to becomin one