Artiste manager, Nana Poku Ashis
Popular artiste manager, Nana Poku Ashis, is displeased with some Ghanaian artistes who refuse to acknowledge or appreciate efforts by DJs and radio stations that patronise their songs.
Speaking in a discussion with DJ Slim on Hitz FM, Ashis pointed out the progress made by Ghanaian DJs in promoting local music on radio stations.
Ashis recalled the early days when he and industry peers like George Britton pushed for more local content on the airwaves.
“Some of us started this thing some years back. I remember when I and George Britton used to shout about the percentage and all that. So let’s big up the DJs in Ghana.
“You can’t say it’s entirely wiped out but at least now you get the feel that Ghanaian music is really high on radio stations. It’s not like when the Nigerians were totally dominating our radio. There’s been a conscious effort by our DJs and by our TV stations to actually promote the Ghanaian thing,” he stated.
He, however, lamented that their efforts have not been reciprocated or appreciated by some Ghanaian artistes.
According to Ashis, DJs, in particular, often go out of their way to promote Ghanaian songs by tagging artistes on social media and playing their tracks, but many of them fail to respond.
“This is a call to the musicians. Now that the DJs are doing it, they are not talking. They are not bigging them up. And it’s painful. You will see the Ghanaian DJ play a song and tag the musician. But the artiste will not reply or even like the post,” he said.
He emphasised that a simple gesture of gratitude, such as a retweet or a thank-you message, could go a long way to enhance the relationship between artistes and DJs.
“They can just go on their timelines and say, ‘Oh, thank you, DJ; last night I heard you play three or four of my songs.’ I mean, this is how it’s done. You don’t always have to receive. Sometimes you have to give.
“But they will talk about ‘support your own.’ How do you ‘support your own’ when they don’t even support themselves; they don’t even want the support?” he asked.
The artiste manager called for a collective effort from all stakeholders to support the growth and progress of the entertainment industry.
“They’re trying, so let’s all come together and contribute to make it stand,” he concluded.
ID/EB
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