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Ghanaian singer Sista Afia has delivered a rather unusual public service announcement to her fellow artistes, and this time, it has nothing to do with hit songs, relationships or showbiz drama.
Her message is simple but attention-grabbing: clean the microphone before putting it in your mouth.
The “Jeje” hitmaker has taken to social media to caution musicians about the hygiene risks associated with shared microphones, warning artistes to be more careful about the equipment they use on stage.
According to Sista Afia, performers often move from one event to another and use microphones that have already been handled, shouted into and, in some cases, practically swallowed by other artistes.
That means the innocent-looking microphone in an artiste’s hand could have already travelled through several mouths before reaching them.
And for Sista Afia, that is a health gamble nobody needs to take.
The singer believes microphone hygiene should become part of every artiste’s backstage routine, especially at events where several performers share the same equipment.
She suggested that artistes carry sanitising wipes or microphone-safe disinfectant sprays with their stage essentials and give the microphone a proper clean before performing.
For artistes who want to completely eliminate the problem, Sista Afia has an even simpler solution: get your own microphone.
While she admitted that every sickness an artiste experiences after a show cannot automatically be blamed on a dirty microphone, she believes there is no reason to take unnecessary chances when basic hygiene can help reduce the risk.
After all, artistes will spend hours perfecting their vocals, choreography, outfits and stage entrances. Taking a few seconds to clean the microphone should not be the hardest part of the performance.
Her warning quickly got people talking online, with fans and fellow entertainers backing her advice.
Some social media users appeared to realise that the microphone may be one of the most overlooked items when it comes to concert hygiene.
Sista Afia may have delivered her message with a dose of humour, but the point is serious: before you grab that microphone and give the crowd your best vocals, make sure the last person’s germs are not joining the performance.
Because sometimes, the biggest thing an artiste takes home from a concert may not be a viral performance, a cheque or a new fan.
It could be germs.
And Sista Afia wants artistes to wipe those germs out before they pipe up.
