Should we beg before our songs are played? —Nana Agyeman
Highlife musician Nana Agyeman has bemoaned the ill-treatment he and other artistes perceived as veterans are receiving at the hands of radio and TV stations.
In the early 2000s, Nana Agyeman was one of the popular faces in the industry with songs such as Aunty Araba, Alomo Ketewa, Kwame Ahe, Mr Ode, Kwahu Bepo and Go Go Sugar Cane and one would have expected him to have things easy but he said the opposite was the case.
In a recent chat with Graphic Showbiz, Nana Agyeman said he and other older musicians have difficulty promoting their songs because the preference now is the new crop of artistes.
“I released a very beautiful song, Self- Control, last year and I did whatever I could to push it but it never got anywhere. But I hear very ‘useless’ songs which rather get all the attention.”
“Where do I get the encouragement to continue doing nice tunes? We are being treated like up-and-coming artistes which is sad.
“The likes of Nana Quame, Slim Busterr, Kofi Nti are releasing songs all the time but they do not get any support. A whole Kojo Antwi released an album last year but it didn’t go anywhere.”
“Why are we being treated as if we don’t matter anymore? Should we beg before our songs are played?” he quizzed.
Nana Agyeman said elsewhere like Nigeria, older musicians were honoured and given support whenever they have new material but not in Ghana.
“The Nigerians will easily support and push anything 2Baba releases but it is difficult for Ghanaians to do the same. You have to keep pushing as if you are an up-and-coming artiste which is not cool.”
“I know some of my colleagues who have given up on music because of this. It is sad to taste fame and come back and be treated like a new artiste all over again,” he said.
Nana Agyeman said he was not against promotion of the new generation of artistes but it was how easily the old ones were forgotten that he had a problem with.
“It is better we promote both the new and old artistes but this is a case where the radio presenters don’t want to even play our songs for them to be popular. Big ups to any positive presenter who has ears to listen to good music and is willing to push it with or without money,” he said.
Nana Agyeman will release a new single titled A Dey For Street and said he expects Ghanaians to give it the necessary push.
“I am not blowing my own horn but there is so much wisdom in the song. I am saying life is full of ups and downs and encourage everyone to work hard for their money,” he said.