Even though some industries has suffered and collapsed since the outbreak of this deadly coronavirus, the creative arts industry is one of the industries that have suffered probably the most during this coronavirus pandemic. Musicians, who fall in this industry, are some of the worst-hit by the pandemic.

However, another challenge for Ghanaian musicians is that most of these streaming platforms are foreign companies and sometimes it makes it difficult for them to get their music onto these platforms.

It is for this and other reasons that, multiple award-winning reggae-dancehall artist, Stonebwoy is urging the government to consider helping the music industry to create its own local streaming platform.

Stonebwoy who joined the Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah in a Live Instagram session, took the opportunity to ask him to help the industry.

The conversation monitored by SVTV Africa saw Stonebwoy asked that, the government should hold a dialogue with himself and some of the other musicians such as Shatta Wale, Sarkodie, Samini and others about the matter.

Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, after receiving the request from the Dancehall heavyweight, assured him of his support and advised Stonebwoy and other Ghanaian musicians to diversify their revenue portfolios to let them make more money.

The MP for Ofoase-Ayirebi also promised that he would secure a meeting with the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Barbara Oteng Gyasi and the musicians to discuss the matter to help the ailing industry.

Maybe, one benefit from coronavirus is that the Ghana music industry will get its own government-sanctioned music streaming platform that generates revenue for the musicians.

Source: svtvafrica
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Veteran Afro-Reggae and Grammy Awards nominee, Rocky Dawuni, has called on musicians to do songs that portray the positive things in the country to the world rather than wasting their time to do diss songs.

Addressing the issues on the current beef between Sista Afia and Freda Rhymz that almost turned bloody at TV3’s premises in an exclusive interview with Amansan Krakye on Radio Central, he said “It is a waste of time, let’s allow our creative works to portray positivity about Ghana to the world. We don’t need to create a wrong impression among the youth that in music you need to fight and be against each other in order to get attention, it’s a wrong move.

“Some people beef just to get attention and create hype in the press but let’s focus and sound positive in our songs. It’s more to do with selfishness and the desire to usurp someone in order to always be ahead.

“If it is arranged as a play for fun that both artistes agree behind the scenes that we are going to beef each other for competitiveness, then I don’t have any issues with it.

“But when it becomes serious such that it turns to be full of insults and physical assault then obviously we would be badly influencing children who see these artistes as role models.

“It works for some people to get attention but I think it is high time we put these things behind us and the media should not be buying into that stuff and focus on things that are positive”.

Source: My News GH
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There have been several stories about the Ghana movie industry that makes the industry look gloomy and not appealing.

These stories are mostly about the envy, jealousy and backstabbing stories, and needless attacks on themselves over frivolous issues.

However, the death of Bishop Bernard Nyarko has opened up the industry’s bad light and the various physical and spiritual attacks these actresses and actors suffer at the hands of their colleagues just because they are doing well then they are doing.

Speaking on ‘Okuseku The Talk Show’, actress McBrown opened up on how she got poisoned while she was on set at kenkansu and almost lost her life as a result”.

She said after shooting a scene for a movie she could not recall its title, she shared her food with one colleague who she wanted to remain anonymous.

Nana Ama said after eating with the colleague, the colleague left where they were. It was after thirty minutes that she started to feel some sharp pains in her stomach. Nana Ama McBrown was sent to the Kenkansu hospital but since there was no Doctor she was rushed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching hospital.

Nana Ama McBrown used the opportunity to advise people who want to be movie stars to persist and persevere because every industry has its own challenges and the ability to get over leads to success.
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Source: My News GH
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Ghana’s newest internet sensation, AY Poyoo says some Ghanaian ladies have rejected him because of his looks.

Explaining his reason for being single, AY says most ladies do not approach him because they believe he is ugly.

“Ghanaian girls don’t like ugly people like me. Sometimes when I look into the mirror I wonder if I was created or downloaded,” he said in an exclusive interview with GhanaWeb’s entertainment show Talkertainment.

The “face of GH rap” says his looks will improve once he starts making money from his music and comedy career.

He highlighted instances where some musicians including Sarkodie enhanced their looks after becoming successful and gaining proper stance in the entertainment industry.

“Sarkodie was there and now he looks better. When you look at Sarkodie’s picture it looks different. When you compare his old picture to that of now, his looks have changed automatically,” He established.
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Source | Ghanaweb
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Rapper, Edem born Denning Edem Honor says all Ghanaian artistes are poor.

According to him, the systems in Ghana have over the years not favored musicians and therefore they pose as rich people even though things are not as it seems.

Edem who has done very well for himself in promoting the Volta Region and the Ewe language seems to be worried about what the future holds for the Ghanaian artiste.

His rants are as follows: “How can @Sarkodie span ten years in showbiz and not makeup to 20k ghana in those ten years from royalties. What do u want the artiste to live behind for their loved ones…”

“How can @shattawalegh release over 300 songs and not get a penny from it for its usage.”

“If artiste eats, Producers, Djays, bloggers, and all stakeholders would eat…But we are all hungry and we go shadda every day for the fam whiles we work and our work ourselves.”

“I am a hungry artiste because My country doesn’t take care of me. I can be buying sneakers if my fans join me on the mission of truth.”
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Source | mynewsgh
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Ghanaian Dancehall artiste, Stonebwoy has called on the government to support the Creative Arts industry because the current generation of Creatives does not want to end up like their predecessors.

The Bhim Nation President made this known when he spoke to the Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah in a live conversation on Instagram.

Stonebwoy noted that the Coronavirus pandemic has exposed the various flaws and challenges they are facing as creatives and how they may end up “hungry” if the needed support is not provided to them by the government.

The musician who was speaking for his generation indicated that the COVID-19 season has brought about “hunger” among creatives because the shows which have been their backbone are not happening and it does not look like it will be happening anytime soon.

“We are hungry and the COVID-19 has also exposed how vulnerable we are as creatives. We cannot go anywhere and the shows that we benefit from albeit not regularly are not coming so things have been difficult. We have seen our predecessors and we will not want to end up like them. You see their photos and you get scared that if care is not taken and the right systems are not put in place, we will end up like them,” he told Kojo Oppong Nkrumah.

Acknowledging Stonebwoy’s position, the Minister agreed that it’s time the government comes in to fully support the music industry to help artists monetize their creativity and ensure that they do not end up “hungry”.

He promised to set up a meeting with players in the Creative Arts Industry and the Creative Arts Ministry in order for their ideas to be taken and implemented to ensure that creatives are able to monetize their products well.

Source: My News GH
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The ‘Sugar’ hitmaker, KiDi has been in the news virtually the whole day following a brief ’embarrassing’ moment at the studios of local media, Accra FM.

KiDi was met with a barrage of questions from presenter Nana Romeo when he stepped into the studios several minutes after his booked interview on air.

The presenter who obviously was unhappy about the musician’s lateness for his “Ayekoo” show, didn’t fail to register his disappointment, whilst referring him to a similar instance in previous times.

Romeo, calling out Kidi on air, he said;

“The time is 11:25, it is left with just 35 minutes and you are nowhere, what time are we going to use to do the interview? Last time you did the same and apologized but you’ve made it happen again, I feel embarrassed,” the singer replied saying that “I don’t understand why you are attacking me, it’s not nice”.

Romeo continued that “I have to do that because anytime I book interviews, nobody has done this to me … so you should tell me why. Say it so I want to know if the problem is with the show or the host. I’ve told your P.A we can’t do the interview again because time is fast spent.”

The Lynx signed the act in reaction said “if the interview won’t happen fine, I apologize again, I don’t mean to disrespect anybody, it’s just fine, I just don’t like the way I’ve been spoken to this morning but it’s ok, I apologize for being late,” and walked out.

Hours after the issue went viral on social media, Kidi tweeted “It is well” on his twitter page.

It is however unclear whether or not the tweet is in response to the issue and subsequent reactions by tweeps mostly.

Source: Ghanaweb
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Dancehall legend Buju Banton spoke with Drewbyrd, Sean G, and Shacia Payne for the inaugural episode of their Shabbaaaaa Sound Radio show on Apple Music. During their conversation, Buju explained how the authenticity of his genre keeps it from grabbing the mainstream’s attention.

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“We don’t want to tell the people a lie. We have to tell the people the truth, and that is reggae music,” Buju said at the interview’s 6:49 minute mark. “That’s why we don’t get the mainstream appeal and the mainstream behind us, because our music is a music aimed at uplifting something inside of you, not outside of you. Realize what even [Bob Marley] was telling them, what [Peter Tosh] was telling them.”

Buju went on to state that mainstream media and gatekeepers have disrupted the spiritual connection that’s created by dancehall/reggae music.

“And they have taken away the connection that we have to the higher power,” he continued. “They’re trying to block it. We have to reconnect. And when we reconnect, everything becomes seamless.”

While Buju hasn’t gravitated toward mainstream music, the sound has been drawn to him. Earlier this year, Banton made an appearance on DVSN’s new album A Muse in Her Feelings. Buju gave the OVO artists a feature on their song “A Dangerous City” with Ty Dolla Sign.

Broadcaster, Afia Pokuaa alias Vim Lady has revealed that the current beef between Sista Afia, Eno, and Freda Rhymes is a validation that women cannot go up the ladder unless they bite each other.

There is currently an ongoing lyrical war of words between some of Ghana’s female artistes; a move to spice up the industry that has taken a nosedive after Ghana started recording cases of the deadly Coronavirus.

Shots have been fired from all angles by Eno, Sista Afia, and Freda Rhymes over who is better than the other. However, these shots are not devoid of insults, body shamming, and personal attacks.

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Reacting to this, Afia Pokuaa who is a lead advocate for women empowerment noted that it is good women are trying to take the top spot in the music industry and it’s good that they are fighting for a place on the table.

But she expressed worry over the insults, name-calling, and body shamming saying “Beef galore I like the women to take over. I just don’t like them insulting each other. It makes it look like women can’t get ahead without attacking ourselves. Who is winning though?”
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Source: mynewsgh
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The Third Edition of the 3Music Awards was held virtually because of the coronavirus pandemic, which has led to a ban on public gatherings.

The awards scheme came off in grand style at the Fantasy Dome inside the Trade Fair Centre, Accra on May 2, 2020.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the awards scheme, Sadiq Abdulai Abu speaking in an interview on Happy98.9FM’s ‘ShowbizXtra’ has said that they have not made any profits from the awards scheme.

He told host, DoctorCann, “We have lost a lot of money. Over the years we have spent money without getting anything back.”

According to him, it is not unusual for a brand to start and have revenue issues. “We are building a brand and we need to build a reputation and not be focused on the money.”

He noted that the team is currently focused on building a brand and an ecosystem that will help promote the Ghanaian and African music scene.

Host, Doctor Cann asked if sponsors did not contribute to the entire event, he revealed: “Nasco electronics supported the next rated category.”

Other partners for the awards scheme were mostly bloggers and media houses.

Abu explained that the extreme measures taken to support the few sponsors was to let others know the kind of promotion they will get when they hop on the awards scheme.

Source: etvghana
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