Recognise creatives for their various talents —Blakk Rasta
Controversial Reggae artiste, Blakk Rasta, believes that even though he ticks all the boxes as a very good musician and the fact that he has performed at some of the big festivals in the world, he is yet to get the recognition he deserves in his home country, Ghana.
And this is because the outspoken radio presenter feels creatives have been boxed and not allowed to explore other areas.
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According to the 3FM Drive presenter, Ghanaians are not willing to give one the opportunity to shine in other areas once he or she is known for a particular profession in the creative sector.
“Once Ghanaians know you as a radio presenter for instance, they will not appreciate anything else you do, no matter how good you are at it. So you may be equally good at music but because you are initially not known for that, there is no way they will give you a listening ear.
“It takes the intervention of God to breakthrough. This issue has been there for a very long time and we ought to deal with it since other creatives are going through this ordeal too” he told Daily Graphic???? in an interview.
Blakk Rasta says it is sad he is more appreciated outside the country. “I have had the opportunity to play in places such as Guyana, Canada, America, Benin, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Paris and I get a standing ovation after my performances but no one is willing to give you the chance here.
“No matter how good you are as a musician, if you are not considered as their favourite artiste, forget about it. You can sing all the nice songs in the world, no one cares about you. That attitude has to stop if we want to grow the music industry” he stated.
Radio Career
Blakk Rasta has been on radio for over 25 years, and he is not willing to retire anytime soon because he says it has become a part and parcel of him.
The Serwaa Akoto singer who started his radio career at Contatto Radio at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology(KNUST) in 1997 said he could not do without radio because his love for it had grown stronger over the years. .
A programme which endeared him to many listeners of radio is Taxi Driver. The popular Taxi Driver was initially aired on Happy FM and later on Hitz FM.
Talking about it, Blakk Rasta said Taxi Driver was structured in a way to appeal to everyone. “I play very good Reggae tunes people loved and I also talk about topical issues. I said things as they were and Ghanaians loved me for that. I had no competition because the show was fire”, he added.
Asked how he was able to sound bubbly on air and make his listeners happy even when he was not in the mood because he had a bad day?
“There are times when I am down because I am upset over something but that did not discourage me from giving best. Sometimes, I wonder how I do it because of the mood I am in but somehow I manage to do a good show, get all the positive comments and after that go back to my troubles.”
Controversies
Blakk Rasta has had issues with a good number of people, including politicians, musicians, religious men, TV presenters and he says he has no regrets so far as he is doing the right thing.
His latest is lashing out at the late Reggae legend Bob Marley’s family for featuring rapper Sarkodie on the remake on the former’s song Stir it Up. He claimed Sarkodie’s feature on the song was a dishonour to the late musician’s legacy.
Among all the people he has had issues with, Blakk Rasta said he wished he never had a feud with musician Wanlov the Kubolor but he did what he had to do because he didn’t understand him(Wanlov) at the time.
“One person I respect is Wanlov the Kubolor after coming to understand what he stood for. If there is someone I need to allow in my space right now, it will be Wanlov the Kubolor. Although he is on the quiet now, I still admire him and want to be close to him” he said.
Family life
Blakk Rasta who lost his first wife in 2012 with whom he has two children is currently married to Seyram. They have two children too. And if there is one thing he could wish for, is to spend more time with his family.
He explains that although he gets time for them over the weekend that is not enough for a man who loves his wife and children.
“I make sure nothing disturbs my weekends because that is the only time I get to spend with my wife and four children. I usually take them out to a cool place where we have a nice time as family”, he said.
The man Blakk Rasta
Blakk Rasta, born Ahmed Abubakar, is a graduate of KNUST. The Barrack Obama singer who has a Master’s Degree in Oil and Gas from University of Coventry, England, UK, is pursuing his PhD.
He said people should take their time to listen to his music and understand the lyrics of his songs before judging him.
Blakk Rasta who has songs such as Barack Obama, My African Queen, Gaddafi, Taabo, Kwame Nkrumah, Kofi Annan Says, Mallam Tonga, among others, revealed he had a beautiful song with Kojo Antwi which would blow the minds of Ghanaians when it was released.
Blakk Rasta who recently joined Media General after working with Class FM and Zylofon Media said he would want to work with KiDi.
“I hardly do features but if I have to do it, I would love to work with KiDi because I love the way he sings. He has a great voice and I love him for that”, he stated.