Blakk Rasta has opened up about a bold decision from his past, revealing that he returned dozens of awards he had earned over the years after losing faith in how some schemes determine winners.
Speaking in a recent interview with Kafui Dey, the reggae artiste and broadcaster said the move was driven by his personal values and a growing unease with award systems that rely on paid voting.
Even after securing major honours, including “Best Reggae Song” at the Ghana Music Awards in 2002, he said doubts began to creep in about the integrity of platforms where artistes and fans are expected to spend money to influence results.
“This song won the best reggae song of the year at the Ghana Music Awards in 2002. I had to return all the plaques to the organisers. I sent all the awards I’ve ever received and they were about 40,” he said.
He made it clear that his decision cut across several award bodies, not just one organisation, as he reassessed the value of the recognitions he had received.
READ ALSO: Charterhouse Replies Kwaw Kese, Defends Integrity of Ghana Music Awards
Blakk Rasta indicated that the idea of pushing for votes and encouraging fans to pay in order to win stripped the awards of their meaning and made him uncomfortable keeping them.
“All the awards that I had to vote for and pay money for, my spirit didn’t feel good carrying all these loads in my house. I said to them that thank you for honouring me, but I see that as dishonour because I had to pay via voting and convince my fans to pay for the awards,” he stated.
He also disclosed that he formally wrote to Charterhouse Ghana, organisers of the Ghana Music Awards, to communicate his decision, but claims his letter was met with silence.
“I realised I was cheap, so I didn’t want them. I wrote a letter and sent it to Charterhouse, but they didn’t even have the courtesy to write back,” he shared.
Still, he did not part with every accolade. One award, which he received in London without any voting or financial input, remains with him.
“In all the awards, there was only one I received without people voting, which I got from London, so I kept that one,” he explained.
He says his stance remains unchanged today, adding that he has no interest in participating in any award scheme that requires payment to vote.
“Then the awards started multiplying again. I’m not part of any awards programme that has to do with paying to vote,” Blakk Rasta further stated.
