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Politician and social commentator Kwame Asare Obeng, popularly known as A-Plus, has stirred up Ghana’s music industry with a provocative take on musicians who frequently criticise industry bodies such as the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA).
Speaking on UTV’s United Showbiz, A-Plus suggested that musicians who consistently attack MUSIGA may be doing so because their own careers are no longer as active as they once were.
“If you see someone seriously and consistently criticising MUSIGA, that musician’s career is over,” A-Plus declared.
According to him, successful artistes who are currently enjoying a busy career have little reason to spend their time constantly fighting industry institutions. He argued that musicians who are securing bookings, releasing projects, shooting music videos and making money from their craft are more likely to be focused on their careers than engaging in endless disputes with music industry bodies.
A-Plus challenged critics to point to a current top artiste who has made it their mission to wage a sustained campaign against MUSIGA.
His comments come against the backdrop of years of criticism directed at MUSIGA and the Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMRO), particularly over issues surrounding royalties, welfare and the management of musicians’ interests.
While the two organisations have faced their fair share of scrutiny, A-Plus offered a different interpretation of the criticism. In his view, persistent attacks on music industry institutions could sometimes reflect frustration from artistes whose careers are no longer generating the same attention they once enjoyed.
Whether A-Plus has hit the nail on the head or simply stepped on a few industry toes, one thing is certain: his comments have added another spicy chapter to Ghana’s never-ending conversation about the state of the music industry.
