DopeNation has argued that record labels can be a springboard for success, but they’re not the golden ticket for every artiste.
Speaking in an interview with Daily Graphic, the twin duo, Michael Boafo (B2) and Tony Boafo (Twist), talked about their experiences navigating Ghana’s music industry. Once signed to Lynx Entertainment and now thriving as independent acts, the brothers acknowledged that labels can provide a solid boost but warned that the trade-offs are significant.
“Record labels can be useful, no doubt about that. But they are not for every artiste. They can provide crucial support, such as financial backing, marketing assistance, exposure to larger audiences, among others,” they explained.
The brothers stressed that such opportunities are tied to obligations that not every artiste may be ready for. “Signing with a label comes with adhering to contractual commitments such as strict deadlines, creative directives, profit-sharing arrangements, etc.
“Record labels aren’t evil, just that they’re not for everyone. Artistes must fully understand these commitments before deciding to work with them. The important thing is knowing the game—before the game plays you,” they added.
READ ALSO: Lilwin Says Daddy Lumba’s ‘Yentie Obiaa’ Helped Him Overcome Ritual Allegations
Apart from the label debate, DopeNation emphasized their commitment to staying innovative in a fast-paced industry. To them, musical evolution is survival.
“Music never stands still and neither do we,” they noted. “To keep our sound fresh and relevant, we immerse ourselves in new trends, techniques and styles. It’s more than just keeping up—it’s about understanding the pulse of each generation. So our music resonates deeply, no matter the era.”
Interestingly, what some might expect to cause friction between two siblings, their different creative instincts, has become their strongest asset.
“People always ask if we argue over creative choices, but it’s quite the opposite. Our differences give us an edge—multiple perspectives mean richer, more dynamic music. We push each other, refine every detail and hold ourselves to the highest standard. In this industry, we are our critics in this line of business,” they said.
Despite their consistency in producing chart-topping songs, the duo pointed to a worrying trend: music groups being sidelined by the Telecel Ghana Music Awards. For the past four years, groups have barely received nominations, a gap that DopeNation says has unfairly dimmed their spotlight.
“There are a lot of groups in the country doing amazingly well. However, the four-year ‘hiatus’ due to lack of nominations at the TGMA has sort of erased their shine. Yet, we can mention several groups who contributed to most of the bangers’ jobs last year,” they remarked.
Asked what they would change if given the power to reshape the industry, DopeNation didn’t hesitate to shine the spotlight on producers.
“We will put producers first. They are the heartbeat of music—fix their support system, and the entire industry levels up. It’s simple: focus on the source and everything else falls into place.
“Music producers are the foundation of creating music and by focusing on them, many other things in the industry would improve naturally,” they said.
