Award-winning Ghanaian rapper and producer, EL, has cautioned artistes against rushing into record label deals without proper understanding and professional guidance.
Speaking during an interview on Hitz Gallery, the musician described signing record contracts without careful consideration as “savage” and strongly advised talented artists to avoid making such mistakes.
According to him, his personal experience with a record deal forced him to step away from music for some time as he struggled to free himself from a complicated situation.
“I wouldn’t advise anybody to sign a record deal blindly,” he said.
“From my experience, I found myself in a situation that made me go quiet for a while because I had to untangle myself and come out safely.
I realised that I had taken a bigger step by signing some things, and later it wasn’t really what I thought it would be.”
EL explained that failing to have proper representation and clear documentation can create serious problems for artists.
He stressed the need for legal support, proper paperwork, and full knowledge of what is being presented before signing any agreement.
“It could get really sticky if you’re not careful,” he noted.
The rapper further revealed that at one point, contractual conflicts and clashes prevented him from releasing the music he wanted, which affected his creative freedom.
He warned that some individuals in the industry may seek to exploit young talent for their own benefit.
“There are sharks out there who want to trap you, exploit your music, and leave you hanging,” he cautioned.
His message serves as advice to emerging musicians to protect themselves and thoroughly review any contract before committing to a record label.
