Renowned Ghanaian artiste Ded Buddy has bemoaned the rate at which Ghanaian artistes are pressured by their record labels to release hit songs instead of being allowed to flow on their own.
Speaking in an interview with Shobiz TV on February 13, 2024, Ded Buddy opened up about his experiences in the music industry, comparing the creative freedom he enjoyed in his early days to the pressures faced by today’s artistes.
Reflecting on his journey, Ded Buddy shared that during his formative years, he was surrounded by influential figures who supported his growth without imposing pressure.
“Back then, I wasn’t pressured to release hit songs. I was in a studio with great minds like KK Duah, Fafa, Gabby Adjetey, and the late Komla Dumor. All these guys were in my studio. Even Kwame Sefa Kayi used to come around.
“And these were all radio personalities that were actually backing me because they come to the studio and, you know, because I was a humble kid, so I respected and loved everybody. So, they also loved me back. I was not pressured. I was just doing my thing in the studio, writing my lyrics, and creating music that was true to me,” he recalled.
He emphasized that the lack of external interference allowed him to develop his craft organically.
“Nobody came into the booth to dictate what I should do. My lyrics were clean, and everything flowed naturally. Once the song was ready, they just mixed it because they believed in my ability,” he added.
However, Ded Buddy expressed concern about the current state of the industry, where he believes, artistes are often pressured to follow trends rather than tap into their authentic selves.
“Labels are pushing artistes to conform, and that’s limiting their potential. When an artiste taps into their passion, the possibilities are endless,” he stated.
Using Black Sherif as an example, Ded Buddy highlighted the importance of allowing artistes to stay true to their identity.
“Black Sherif came out doing his thing. People supported him, and eventually, a label recognized his passion, not just his talent. Now, look at what he’s achieving—he’s not following trends; he’s being himself,” he explained.
Ded Buddy urged labels and industry stakeholders to support artistes without stifling their creativity.
“Don’t force artistes to do what they don’t want to do. Let them express their passion, and if you can’t help, at least encourage them. Don’t shut them down,” he concluded.
ID/KA
