Award-winning Ghanaian musical act, Edem took to his twitter handle to reveal what he saw as the biggest plight of Ghanaian artistes. The rapper in a series of tweets stated that all artistes in Ghana, himself inclusive are hungry.
Edem disclosed that the current coronavirus pandemic has blatantly shown how poor the systems and structures in the music industry are. He explained that the current system does not provide any form of support to any artiste. They do their best by working hard on their craft, yet there is no system in place to aid them to make enough money off it, so they are all hungry.
The corona season has shown how our systems and structures have left artiste and musicians in the cold…We work so hard and pose but every single Artiste is “hungry”
How do we get paid ..We all Dey hung ..— Goget’em (@iamedem) May 17, 2020
He added that judging from the daunting experience of the aged musicians; it is evident that the future has something similar in store for them. Which he said should never be the case, old artistes must not have to go round soliciting for support.
To know your future look at your past..Why Eib for donate money to Artiste,why every old Artiste go come radio to beg..We all for stop pose like everything be alright when we Dey hungry Cos the system doesn’t give us a future #Gbevunation
— Goget’em (@iamedem) May 17, 2020
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Furthermore, he urged his colleagues to stop pretending as though everything is all right because they are all suffering during this Covid-19 pandemic. However, B Black reacting to Edem’s claims noted that not all of them are actually hungry as he says. Some of them have invested smartly into businesses aside from music. He has not had to depend on his music career for over four years now. Therefore, these hard times should be a wakeup call for artistes to think about the need to invest outside their music careers.
Not all… Some have made some smart investments bro. I haven’t had to depend on music only for over 4 years now bro.. It’s important for artists to use this situation as a reminder for the need to invest in your brand outside of art of music. It’s essential. Love g https://t.co/KQWqyVKVZH
— Mr. Desmond Blackmore (@DBLACKGH) May 18, 2020
Nonetheless, Edem subtly opposed D Black’s claims explaining that their music should be able to pay off as much the business. Otherwise, artistes will then be successful businesspersons but hungry musicians because their craft does not pay.
Bro …That's where we make people get it wrong..The music should pay u the same way your investment is paying..if its not you are a hungry Artiste but a satisfied business man…If you get my drift https://t.co/CEvpvsCIQR
— Goget’em (@iamedem) May 18, 2020
Moreover, Ghana’s only multiple BET award-winner, Sarkodie also gave his take on this. He seconded Edem, stating that it a conversation starter to an even more serious and necessary issue for discussion. An artiste can solely depend on his music to live if only the structures are right. The entertainment industry is one of the most lucrative industries ever, which can give you revenue for a lifetime. However, there is nothing wrong with investing in a business, though that is not for everyone.
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Besides, he further added that the living legends in the industry should not have had a problem living a convenient life. They have had to endure the woes of old age after doing their best to entertain us with their craft. Therefore, he would support any move towards changing that narrative in the entertainment industry.
I’m with you brother @iamedem 👌🏾 pic.twitter.com/uX0q4GuYE1
— Sarkodie (@sarkodie) May 18, 2020
Meanwhile, Stonebwoy also shared similar sentiments in a live chat with the Minister of Information, Hon. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah on Instagram yesterday. Moreover, other industry players including Joey B, King of Accra, Joel Orleans, others have also joined the conversation with the same opinion.
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