Ghanaian gospel musician Piesie Esther
Ghanaian gospel musician Piesie Esther has expressed concern over the significant disparity in remuneration between gospel and secular musicians in the country.
Speaking in an interview with Eddie Ray on the Midmorning Show on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, the artist asserted that secular musicians are currently paid substantially more for shows than their gospel counterparts.
Piesie Esther said she prays for the day when artists across both genres will be treated and paid equally for their craft.
She offered a hypothetical scenario to illustrate her point, arguing that the discrepancy is an undeniable reality within the industry.
“It is a fact that gospel musicians are paid less compared to what secular musicians are paid. I don’t know why that is the case. It is my prayer that we will get to the point where this disparity will be addressed,” she said.
She continued, “If, for example, Shatta Wale, Stonebwoy, and Piesie Esther are billed on the same show, I am not sure they will give me the same amount as Shatta or Stonebwoy. Kuami Eugene would even take more than Piesie Esther. Anyone who would dispute this fact does not want to be truthful.”
Piesie Esther also addressed the participation of gospel artists at events hosted by secular acts, such as the recent ShattaFest, stating that she finds absolutely nothing wrong with it.
In her view, performing on such platforms serves as a vital evangelism opportunity, allowing gospel musicians to minister directly to a diverse audience and potentially “transform a life.”
She concluded, “If a gospel musician is invited to minister on the stage of a dancehall musician, there is nothing wrong with that because it is a form of evangelism. There are those who will not accept such an invitation while others will go. I don’t have a problem with a gospel musician standing on a dancehall platform to perform gospel. Who knows—probably God will use that as an opportunity to transform a life.”
